Our Reporter

The European Union (EU) has reached an agreement with pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca to buy 300 million doses of a COVID-19 vaccine if it becomes available, the European Commission said on Friday.

The commission plans to buy the doses on behalf of the 27 EU countries should the vaccine be found to be safe and effective.

Read Also: Russia has developed first COVID-19 vaccine for use – Putin

The purchase agreement also includes an option to buy 100 million doses more.

This came a day after the commission announced having concluded talks with Johnson & Johnson.

Countries across the world are racing to secure sufficient vaccines for their population.