Finland: Minister Kiuru: Manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines should stick to agreed vaccine deliveries

NordenBladet — According to Minister of Family Affairs and Social Services Krista Kiuru, the manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines should stick to their promise to deliver the agreed batches of vaccines to the Member States. The Commission continues to play an essential role in putting pressure on the manufacturers. Minister Kiuru discussed the situation regarding vaccines with Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, on 20 January.

During their discussion, Minister Kiuru emphasised how important it is to stick to the agreed deliveries of vaccine batches and their steady delivery schedule and smooth distribution to the EU Member States in order to combat the COVID-19 epidemic. The Minister thanked the Commissioner for the Commission’s efforts to put more pressure on the vaccine manufacturers so that they would increase their production capacity.

According to Minister Kiuru, the EU’s joint procurement procedure has proved to be a good and necessary procedure for Finland as the situation in the market for COVID-19 vaccines is difficult. The procedure has made it possible to conclude comprehensive agreements with several vaccine manufactures.