U.S. buys 200 million more Moderna COVID-19 vaccine doses
Reuters
Published Jun 16, 2021 08:28AM ET
Updated Jun 16, 2021 09:55AM ET
(Reuters) -The U.S. government has bought another 200 million doses of Moderna (NASDAQ:MRNA)'s COVID-19 vaccine, the drugmaker said on Wednesday, including an option to buy experimental shots that may be in development.
The additional Moderna doses, which brings total U.S. orders to 500 million, could be used for primary inoculation, including of children, or as a possible booster shot, the company said.
Moderna is currently conducting clinical trials testing a third booster shot of its authorized vaccine as well as an experimental one to protect against coronavirus variants.
The U.S. government last August signed a $1.53 billion deal with Moderna for 100 million vaccine doses, with an option to buy 400 million more.
The company has filed for a full U.S. approval of the COVID-19 vaccine currently being used and has also asked regulators to authorize its emergency use in adolescents aged 12 through 17.
U.S. President Joe Biden had set a goal to vaccinate 70% of American adults with at least one COVID-19 shot by the July 4 Independence Day holiday, although the pace of vaccination has slowed significantly since April.
The latest purchase also comes just a week after the Biden administration said it planned to donate 500 million Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) vaccine doses to nearly 100 countries amid concerns of disparity in inoculations between advanced economies and developing countries.
Moderna, which has supplied 217 million doses of its shot to the U.S. government as of Monday, said the additional purchase was to ensure continuous supply through the first quarter of next year. The company said it was set to deliver 110 million doses in the fourth quarter and 90 million in the first quarter of 2022.
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.