Germany approves the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines until 2029
March 17, 2022, 3:54 pm

Germany approves the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines until 2029

COVID-19-Virus/Pixabay

The Xinhua reported, the German government on Wednesday approved contracts worth 2.86 billion euros (3.15 billion U.S. dollars) for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines until 2029.

The contracts with five companies grant long-term access to production capacities in the event that the COVID-19 pandemic continues, or a new pandemic emerges, according to a joint statement from the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and the Ministry of Health (BMG).

The companies, BioNTech, CureVac/GSK, Wacker/CordenPharma, Celonic and IDT, are to receive an annual standby fee to ensure that these capacities are kept available, and that vaccine production can be ramped up quickly if necessary.

Heidelberg is a town on the Neckar River in southwestern Germany. It’s known for venerable Heidelberg University, founded in the 14th century (File photo: Pixabay)

Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck said: "We have learned the lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and the initial vaccine shortage," adding that "we are securing vaccine production and supply for the coming years."

Germany's total COVID-19 infections exceed 10 million

Since the start of the pandemic, 196.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been delivered to vaccination centers, mobile vaccination teams, medical practices, company physicians and pharmacies in Germany.

Source: xinhua

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Upon arriving to participate in the summit of the European Political Community, which includes around forty heads of state in Budapest, he said, "I look forward to sitting with the elected U.S. president and seeing how we will collectively ensure we meet challenges, including the threats from Russia and North Korea." He also noted that the strengthening of ties between Russia and North Korea poses a threat to the United States as well, according to reports from Agence France-Presse.

Before Trump's victory, Rutte expressed confidence that a united Washington would remain part of the defensive alliance, even if Trump became the 47th president of the United States. In an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF last Monday night, he stated that both Republicans and Democrats understand that NATO serves not only the security of Europe but also that of America. He added that both candidates are aware that the security of the United States is closely tied to NATO.

On Wednesday, NATO congratulated Trump on his victory but did not address the Ukrainian issue.

It is noteworthy that the relationship between the elected U.S. president and the defense alliance was not the best during his first term in the White House. Trump criticized NATO member states multiple times and even hinted at withdrawing from the alliance unless they increased their financial contributions.

Additionally, the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian war is one of the matters that complicate relations between the two sides, especially since Trump has repeatedly stated that he can end this ongoing conflict, which began in 2022, quickly. He implied that he had a peace plan between Kyiv and Moscow, while his vice president, JD Vance, revealed aspects of that plan, which stipulated Ukraine's commitment not to join NATO, thereby sending reassuring signals to the Russians.

Furthermore, many NATO member states in Europe fear that Trump might halt military aid to Ukraine after he previously criticized the U.S. for pouring funds into supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.