Through the pandemic preparedness contracts, the Federal Republic of Germany, represented by the Center for Pandemic Vaccines and Therapeutics (ZEPAI) at the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, ensures a rapid and sufficient supply of vaccines for the German population in the event of a pandemic. Pandemic preparedness contracts are in effect with the following pharmaceutical companies:

• BioNTech
• IDT Biologika
• Wacker/Corden Pharma

The pandemic preparedness contracts were signed on 3 May 2022. In the event of a pandemic, the contracts grant the Federal Republic of Germany access to the companies' vaccine production capacities. The Federal Republic of Germany is therefore protected in the event of supply shortages.

By signing the pandemic preparedness contracts, the companies have undertaken to carry out all essential steps for the production of pandemic vaccines in Germany and to maintain production capacities at any time on demand. These precautions ensure that vaccine production can be ramped up at short notice if there is an acute need. There are specific requirements that apply to the contracted companies, in particular with regard to the availability of important raw materials, production lines, and personnel. These requirements are defined in the contractually agreed pandemic preparedness plan. Compliance with the requirements is monitored by the Center for Pandemic Vaccines and Therapeutics (ZEPAI) throughout the term of the contracts. Adjustments to the plan submitted by the contractor are reviewed and approved by ZEPAI.

The term of the pandemic preparedness contracts began in April 2022, when the contracts for the pandemic preparedness concepts were awarded as part of the public procurement procedure. The initial term is five years if a company is already pandemic-ready. This term is preceded by a qualification phase of a maximum of two years if the companies are not yet pandemic-ready and must first meet the pandemic preparedness conditions. The contract may be extended by mutual agreement for a period of one year. This can be done up to three times. The extensions result in a maximum possible contract term of eight years per contract when the companies have a pandemic-ready status.

The Center for Pandemic Vaccines and Therapeutics (ZEPAI) is responsible for the management of the pandemic preparedness contracts. ZEPAI ensures that the contract requirements are being met by the companies. It audits the pandemic preparedness plans drawn up by the companies, monitors their implementation, and evaluates whether a company is pandemic-ready and can enter the pandemic preparedness phase.

In the event of a pandemic, the storage and nationwide distribution of pandemic vaccines are also part of ZEPAI's tasks.

The pandemic preparedness contracts cover two different vaccine platform technologies with the following annual manufacturing capacities:

• mRNA vaccines: 160 million vaccine doses

• vector vaccines: 80 million vaccine doses.