Pfizer Expands COVID-19 Vaccine Production Capacity Globally
Pfizer Inc. increased its COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing capabilities in 2021, producing over 3 billion doses and planning for 4 billion more in 2022 through supply chain expansion and contract manufacturing.
Pfizer has expanded its manufacturing efforts to increase global supply of its COVID-19 vaccine. In 2021, the company manufactured over 3 billion doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and anticipates producing an additional 4 billion doses in 2022.
The effort to scale up production involved an investment of more than $2 billion, with $500 million allocated to increasing manufacturing capabilities. Pfizer has broadened its global production network to include 11 company-owned sites and contractor facilities. The time required to produce a batch of vaccine has been reduced from 110 days to 60 days.
To support this expansion, Pfizer has strengthened its supply chain by engaging new suppliers and contract manufacturers across four continents. Notably, an agreement with Biovac Institute in South Africa aims to produce the vaccine for the 55 member states of the African Union. Additionally, a letter of intent with Eurofarma Laboratórios SA in Brazil is set to manufacture the vaccine for distribution within Latin America.
As of December 31, 2021, Pfizer had delivered more than 2.6 billion vaccine doses to 166 countries and territories worldwide. The company stated its goal remains to provide equitable access to the vaccine globally.