France to begin vaccine production in EU with 8 new vaccine production sites

Following strident criticism from the World Health Organisation over the slow rollout of vaccines in the European Union, France has stepped up to provide impetus to vaccine production, aiming to release around 250 million doses for distribution locally and within the EU.

Pfizer-BioNtech, Delpharm, Sanofi, Curevac, Recipharm and Moderna have already set up 8 separate manufacturing sites across France. Recruitment for on-site processing and bottling of vaccines has begun, with activity set to start on Wednesday.

Thierry Breton, the European Minister for Internal Market, reassured the public that there would eventually be capacity to produce 200 million vaccines in a monthly basis.

"We aim to provide the vaccines that we need and to achieve hers immunity by July 14," the minister said while speaking to France 24.

France has already entered its third national lockdown amidst a surge of COVID-19 infections that have put immense strain on the country's healthcare system.