A Belgian court ruled on Wednesday that Poland and Romania must accept delivery of COVID-19 vaccines produced by US pharmaceutical company Pfizer, valued at €1.9 billion (equivalent to $2.2 billion).
The court stated that Pfizer had filed a lawsuit against Poland and Romania in a Belgian court at the end of 2023, demanding that the two countries fulfill a contract signed with the European Commission, which stipulated the delivery of a certain quantity of vaccines over several years.
Poland had refused to fulfill the contract in April 2022, citing reasons including changes in the pandemic situation, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and potential abuse of market dominance by Pfizer. Romania subsequently adopted the same position.
The Brussels court dismissed these defenses, ruling that both Poland and Romania must accept the corresponding vaccines and make payments to Pfizer.
The court ordered Poland to accept Pfizer vaccines valued at €1.3 billion, while Romania is required to accept vaccines worth €600 million.
Poland's Ministry of Health has not yet commented on the ruling. The Romanian government stated that it has not issued an official statement on the matter and therefore cannot comment.
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