GENEVA – The World Health Organisation (WHO) yesterday urged Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers to keep their prices low and affordable, after reports that two producers will raise the cost they are charging the European Union (EU).
Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are upping the prices for their mRNA vaccines because they have adapted them to the new virus variants, according to reports.
The Pfizer vaccine will jump from €15.5 to €19.5 (RM77.49 to RM97.48) and Moderna from €19 to €21.5, British newspaper Financial Times revealed Sunday, citing the contract concluded with the EU.
Mariangela Simao, WHO assistant director-general for access to medicines, vaccines and pharmaceuticals, told a press conference on yesterday: “It’s very important that we have companies state policies of affordable prices.”
She said both Pfizer and Moderna had increased their manufacturing capacities, diversified their plants and increased production line efficiency.
“In a normal market situation, this would lead to a decreased price, not an increasing price.
“We have a market where the demand is very high in comparison with production.
“WHO urges companies to keep prices down and (maintain) affordable prices.”
Half of the EU population has now been fully vaccinated, according to an AFP tally from official sources. – AFP, August 5, 2021
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