Prime Minister announces 500,000 Pfizer-BioNTech doses from Singapore to boost September vaccine rollout

Pharma News: Australia’s vaccine rollout will be boosted by 500,000 extra Pfizer-BioNTech doses to be distributed next week for immediate use, following a dose swap deal secured between Australia and Singapore.

Australia will gain access to 500,000 Singaporean doses now to boost the vaccine programme in September, while in December, Australia will supply 500,000 Pfizer doses to Singapore.

Prime Minster Scott Morrison said the vaccines would be provided to all states and territories for distribution by primary care and state and territory vaccination sites on an equal population basis, following batch testing by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

“This deal gives us the further supplies we need as we bring new groups into the programme for Pfizer, including 12 to 15 year olds from September 13, and the 16 to 39 year old age group that has already commenced,” the Prime Minister said.

“I said we would leave no stone unturned in bolstering our vaccination programme. This deal comes on top of the Polish agreement that has already boosted our national vaccination rates to exceed those achieved in the United States and United Kingdom at the peak of their programmes.

“I would like to convey my special appreciation to Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong, for our direct engagement over this arrangement, and his Government for their support, highlighting how two governments can work together and manage vaccine stocks before they expire.

“I also extend my thanks to Minister Hunt, Minster Payne, Australia’s High Commissioner to Singapore Will Hodgman and his team, and our Health Secretary Professor Murphy for bringing this arrangement together.”

A spokesperson from Pfizer Australia told Health Industry Hub “Pfizer and BioNTech are committed to broad vaccine access in order to combat this devastating pandemic.

“We are committed to ensuring the vaccine can be effectively utilised in health authorities’ immunisation programmes to protect as many people as possible, via purchase agreements established with national governments, as well as via inter-governmental collaborative efforts such as these agreements between the Singapore and Australian Governments. 

“Pfizer supports these Government-led agreements and we will work with them as they enable the doses to reach the intended populations in the right conditions and are administered appropriately.”

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Marise Payne said Australia was working with other countries to manage the global challenge of COVID-19.

“This demonstrates how our diplomatic capability can deliver in ways that protect Australians and strengthen Australia’s security and prosperity,” Minister Payne said.

“Just as Australia and Singapore are working together, Australia is cooperating with partners in the region to save lives, advance economic recovery, and build health systems to protect against future pandemics.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt stated “With increasing supply we encourage all Australians to come forward and be vaccinated at more than 9,300 locations around the country.

“I particularly want to thank our health officials, both in Singapore and Australia, and our High Commission in Singapore for their work.”

There is no purchase cost associated with the deal to source the vaccine doses, which were manufactured in Belgium.

More than 19.3 million doses have now been delivered across the country, with more than 1.9 million doses delivered over the past week.