From the New York Times:
Trump administration officials passed when Pfizer offered in late summer to sell the U.S. government additional doses of its Covid-19 vaccine, according to people familiar with the matter.
Now Pfizer may not be able to provide more of its vaccine to the United States until next June because of its commitments to other countries, they said.
As the administration scrambles to try to purchase more doses of the vaccine, President Trump plans on Tuesday to sign an executive order “to ensure that United States government prioritizes getting the vaccine to American citizens before sending it to other nations,” according to a draft statement and a White House official, though it was not immediately clear what force the president’s executive order would carry.
As I understand it, Pfizer has a contract with the U.S. to deliver 100 million doses. Any more would be a new order.
And, as Pfizer wasn’t part of Operation Warp Speed and received no federal funds for research and development, the company isn’t beholden to the U.S.
In related news, the CEOs of vaccine makers Pfizer and Moderna have declined an invitation to attend a “vaccine summit” (read that as “photo opp – victory lap”) at the White House tomorrow.
BREAKING—Trump WH was offered to order more than 100 mil Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine doses (for 50 mil people), but WH **declined to order more**. EU 🇪🇺 ordered 200 mil instead. Now back orders means 🇺🇸 can’t order any more Pfizer #COVID19 vaccine until June!! https://t.co/UvlPUNo0Fq
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) December 7, 2020
Bad enough they allowed the virus to spread out of control. Now we learn that when Pfizer offered in late summer to sell U.S. more doses of its vaccine, Trumpers said no. Now Pfizer may not be able provide more until next June because of its commitments to other countries. Argh!
— Robert Reich (@RBReich) December 7, 2020