Israel says negotiating Pfizer surplus with other countries

Israel is in talks with other countries about a deal to unload its surplus of Pfizer/BioNtech COVID-19 vaccines, officials said on Sunday, as reported by This is Money.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said he spoke with Pfizer's CEO Albert Bourla about securing more vaccines for Israel and about possible deals to swap vaccines between Israel and other nations.

"Contacts are being handled by the health ministry, foreign ministry and the National Security Council," Bennett said.

Hezi Levi, director-general of the health ministry, said in an interview with Radio 103 FM that the doses expire on July 31 and any deal would have to win Pfizer's approval.

Levi confirmed that a deal had been discussed last week with the UK but said an agreement had not materialised and was "a thing of the past".

A Pfizer spokesperson said the company was "happy to discuss potential donation requests of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID vaccine between governments on a case-by-case basis, particularly if this helps ensure the vaccine is used to protect people from this disease".