(adds details, background)
BRUSSELS, Oct 8 (Reuters) - The European Commission said on
Thursday it had sealed a supply deal with Johnson & Johnson
for the supply of its potential COVID-19 vaccine for up
to 400 million people.
This is the third advance purchase contract signed by the EU
with makers of COVID-19 vaccines after deals with AstraZeneca
and Sanofi.
Under the terms of the deal, the 27 European Union states
will be able to order up to 400 million courses of the potential
vaccine after it is authorised as safe and effective by the EU
medicine regulator.
"The contract allows member states to purchase vaccines for
200 million people. They will also have the possibility to
purchase vaccines for an additional 200 million people," the EU
commission said in a statement.
To secure the vaccines, the EU made a downpayment to Johnson
& Johnson. The amount paid has not been disclosed.
(Reporting by Francesco Guarascio @fraguarascio; Editing by
Jason Neely and Alison Williams)
Astrazeneca (AZN)