The Brussels Court of First Instance has held (1 April) that Poland and Romania were contractually obliged to pay for €1.9 billion worth of vaccines ordered in 2021. Both current governments are considering appealing the decision while also placing the blame on former administrations.
During the COVID pandemic, the EU negotiated 4.2 billion vaccine doses, ensuring that 84.8% of the EU’s adult population received at least one dose. Pfizer/BioNTech dominated the EU’s portfolio due to its ability to reliably supply the EU; an important factor, given the Commission’s experience with AstraZeneca, which prioritised supplying the UK rather than the EU.
While a Joint Negotiating Team, made up of Commission representatives and experts from seven countries, led the negotiations, they…
