The recent agreement between New Zealand and Pfizer has been making headlines around the world. The agreement will see millions of doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine delivered to New Zealand, securing the country`s vaccine supply for the foreseeable future.
The deal is a major win for New Zealand, which has been praised for its successful response to the pandemic but has struggled with vaccine supply. Until now, the country has relied mainly on the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has faced supply and safety concerns.
Under the agreement, Pfizer will deliver 1.5 million doses of the vaccine in July, followed by a gradual delivery of more than 5 million doses by the end of the year. This will enable New Zealand to vaccinate a large portion of its population, which currently stands at just under 5 million people.
The agreement is also significant from an economic standpoint. The New Zealand government has committed to spending around NZD 1.2 billion on the vaccines, which will provide a boost to the country`s economy and help to create jobs in the healthcare sector.
But the agreement is not without controversy. Some have criticized the government for not negotiating a better deal with Pfizer, suggesting that other countries have secured better prices or more favorable terms. Additionally, there are concerns about the safety and efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine, with some people expressing skepticism about the speed at which it was developed.
Despite these concerns, the agreement between New Zealand and Pfizer represents a major step forward in the fight against COVID-19. As more countries around the world secure vaccine supplies, there is hope that we can finally bring an end to the pandemic and begin to rebuild our communities and economies.