Supply Issues Hampering Pfizer Providing Additional Vaccine Faster

CNN reports that limitations in the vaccine supply are hindering a Trump administration plan to procure an additional 100 million doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, with officials on both sides confirming that they are negotiating for the U.S. government to purchase the doses for shipment between April and June 2021. Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar admitted that certain supply chain issues at Pfizer could complicate the production of another 100 million doses in the spring. He said options under discussion to expedite production include evoking the Defense Production Act. Azar added that Pfizer has not been forthcoming about manufacturing issues and the production process, unlike other vaccine makers partnered with the Operation Warp Speed program. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said his company has asked the White House to use the Defense Production Act "very soon because some components . . . are running at critical supply limitations."