A boost in manufacturing should enable Germany’s BioNTech to produce 2 billion doses of its COVID-19 vaccine this year, the company says. With three manufacturing sites in the United States and three in Europe operating or starting up soon, BioNTech expects to about double the number of doses available for this fiscal year, according to company CEO and cofounder Ugur Sahin, the Associated Press reported. The company is also looking to widen eligibility for the vaccine—which was 95% effective in trials—to include pregnant women, children, and others. As of January 10, 32.9 million doses of its vaccine had been shipped, according to BioNTech, the AP reported. The vaccine has to be stored at extremely cold temperatures, but the company said it is working on a more stable version for easier use in remote regions.
