The EU is purchasing another 200 million doses of the Phizer BioNTech vaccine.
It has signed the deal with an option to buy a further 100 million.
The additional doses will be delivered from April this year.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin says it is a major boost for Ireland's efforts to suppress the virus:
This is an important and very welcome boost to Ireland’s #Covid19 vaccination rollout.
I’ve been in regular contact with the President of the Commission and this deal will add significant extra supplies of the Pfizer vaccine over the coming months. #HoldFirm https://t.co/NE83u7KgYB
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) January 8, 2021
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen says there is more than enough vaccine ordered for every European.
Overall the EU commission has secured 2.3 billion doses of the various vaccines.
Meanwhile, a decision on the approval for use of the Astra/Zeneca vaccine in Europe, could be made by the end of the month.
