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WHO urges manufacturers to make COVID-19 Vaccines available, affordable

Some COVID-19 Vaccine Brands Photo: SkyNews

*The global health body says ‘it’s very important that we have companies state policies of affordable prices’, as Pfizer and Moderna have increased manufacturing capacities, diversified their plants, and increased production line efficiency

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Against the backdrop of the recent reports that two COVID-19 vaccine producers would jack up the costs of the products they are charging the European Union (EU), the World Health Organisation has urged vaccine makers to reduce prices and make them affordable.

ConsumerConnect learnt Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are increasing the prices for their messenger RNA vaccines because they have adapted them to the new virus variants.

The Pfizer vaccine will jump from 15.5 Euros to 19.5 euros ($18.35 to $23) and Moderna from 19 euros to 21.5 euros ($22.5 to $25.45), Financial Times revealed Sunday, August 1, 2021, citing the contract concluded with the European Union.

However, in response to the development, Mariangela Simao, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines, Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals, told a press conference Wednesday, August 4, that “it’s very important that we have companies state policies of affordable prices.”

Simao disclosed that 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 affordable prices,” said WHO Assistant Director-General.

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