UPDATE 2-Berlin earmarks 9 bln euros to buy COVID-19 shots for Germans and EU

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By Michael Nienaber

BERLIN, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Germany is planning to spend
nearly 9 billion euros ($10.9 billion) this year to help procure
up to 635.1 million COVID-19 vaccination shots for its
population and other EU member states, a finance ministry
document seen by Reuters showed on Tuesday.

Delays to the EU's relatively slow vaccine roll-out and
concern about new coronavirus variants are making it harder for
European governments to ease current pandemic restrictions. The
problems have led to some tensions between Brussels and Berlin.

Finance Minister Olaf Scholz's deputy Bettina Hagedorn
proposed to lawmakers in a letter that they should approve a
request by Health Minister Jens Spahn for an additional 6.22
billion euros to buy more doses, according to the document.

This comes on top of 2.66 billion euros already earmarked in
the 2021 budget.

The additional spending plans come after Scholz said last
week he was angry that more COVID-19 vaccines were not ordered
last year at a European level while EU chief executive Ursula
von der Leyen renewed her defence of the European Commission's
record on rolling them out.

A coalition source told Reuters the Bundestag lower house of
parliament's budget committee was expected to approve the
additional spending on Wednesday.

The Health Ministry will use the total funds of 8.89 billion
euros to buy up to 635.1 million vaccine doses as part of the
European Union's joint procurement plans and Berlin's national
scheme, the document said.

All EU member states have agreed to procure vaccines under
the bloc's plan.

"For the federal government, obtaining COVID-19 vaccines is
of fundamental importance to get the pandemic under control,"
Hagedorn told lawmakers in the letter.

"In addition, a broad portfolio (of vaccines) is required so
that Germany will have effective vaccines with enough vaccine
doses for the various population groups, also in the case that
not all vaccines are approved," she added.
($1 = 0.8258 euros)
(Reporting by Michael Nienaber
Editing by Caroline Copley and Alison Williams)