Question for written answer E-000444/2021 to the Commission Rule 138 (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), Giuseppe Ferrandino (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), Simona Bonafè (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), (S&D), (S&D)

Subject: Delays to the EU vaccination campaign

The Commission is in charge of making arrangements on behalf of all the Member States with the pharmaceutical firms manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines, with the aim of ensuring distribution to everyone in the EU is rapid, efficient and fair.

In recent weeks Pfizer and AstraZeneca, two of the pharmaceutical firms the furthest ahead at present in the manufacture of effective proven vaccines, announced that they would be obliged to reduce supplies for various reasons.

This news has caused bewilderment among EU citizens, who have already endured months of this pandemic that has caused thousands of deaths and enormous damage to the EU’s social and economic fabric.

In this context:

1. In the agreements concluded by the Commission, what terms and conditions apply to the supply of the vaccines, and what dissuasive measures and sanctions were included to protect citizens’ rights and the interests of the EU?

2. What measures will the Commission deploy to ensure that these delays are not repeated in the future, including in the event that vaccines from other pharmaceutical firms come onto the market?

3. What other options does the Commission have planned to ensure that vaccines are distributed quickly to Member States in the event of supplies not being delivered on schedule?

PE681.203v01-00