Geneva: The Swiss federal government says it has struck a deal with Moderna to supply Switzerland with 4.5 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine if the US biotech firm successfully develops one.
The Federal Office of Public Health says the agreement aims to guarantee Switzerland early access to the vaccine of Moderna and is one of the first such deals by any government with the company.
The federal government wants to ensure that the Swiss population has rapid access to a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, an office statement said on Thursday. At the same time, Switzerland is supporting multilateral projects for the fair distribution of a future vaccine.
The Moderna deal would make it possible to vaccinate 2.25 million people, because expectations are that two doses would be needed, it said. That would be enough for more than a fourth of the wealthy Alpine country’s population of about 8.2 million. (AP)
