The US government’s $2bn deal with Pfizer Inc and German biotech firm BioNTech SE has set a benchmark for COVID-19 vaccine pricing, according to industry analysts.
It secures enough vaccine to inoculate 50 million Americans for about $40 a person, or about the cost of annual flu shots.
Unlike other vaccine deals signed by the government, Pfizer and BioNTech will not collect a payment until their vaccine proves to be safe and effective in a large pivotal clinical trial expected to start this month.
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“The average price for a flu vaccine is around $40,” said Peter Pitts, president and co-founder of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest. “It looks good with that comparison. It’s well within the ballpark of reasonableness.”
