The European Union has filed a second lawsuit against pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca over the delay in supplying the Coronavirus vaccine.
Also at the daily press conference, EU Commission spokesperson Stefan de Kirsmeijer announced that they have initiated a new legal process against AstraZeneca.
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And indicating that their goal is to deliver the doses specified in the pre-purchase agreement with AstraZeneca to the European Union.
Keersmaecker noted that the first case was taken to court for an injunction, given the seriousness of the situation
Keersmaecker said that the second case also concerns the supply of vaccines to which the European Union is “entitled”, and it will be determined whether the purchase contracts have been violated.
Keersmaecker who claimed that AstraZeneca did not comply with the terms and conditions of the advance purchase contract also stated that they have brought their reasons to court.
“We are not here to demand financial compensation, we are asking for the delivery of vaccines,” Keersmaecker said.
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Fees may apply
Keersmaecker stated that they are waiting for the court to order AstraZeneca to deliver the doses that a fine can be imposed on the company to secure the delivery in question.
Keersmaecker also confirmed that AstraZeneca should urgently supply an additional 90 million doses of the vaccine.
The first hearing of the second case was held today in the Brussels court.
Approximately 50 million doses were supplied
The European Union agreement with AstraZeneca included the provision of 300 million doses of the vaccine, and an option to purchase an additional 100 million doses if requested.
So far, the company has provided about 50 million doses of the vaccine to the European Union.
While the European Union expected 120 million doses of the vaccine in the first quarter of the year, the company was able to provide only 30 million doses.
In the second quarter, the European Union was expecting 180 million doses, but the company announced that it could provide 70 million doses during this period.
AstraZeneca argues that in their contract with the European Union they are not committed to tangible supplies and dates.
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The European Union has approved 4 vaccines
The European Union has so far included 2.4 billion doses of the vaccine with BioNTech-Pfizer.
400 million with AstraZeneca, 300 million with Sanofi-GSK, and 400 million with Johnson & Johnson.
In addition to 405 million with CureVac, and 460 million with Moderna under contract with each type of vaccine.
To date, the vaccines produced by BioNTech-Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson have received EU approval.
Given these agreements, the EU administration aims to vaccinate 70 percent of the European Union’s adult population of 450 million in the summer months.
