Key facts
- Poland is appealing a Brussels court ruling ordering it to accept 64 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from Pfizer.
- The ruling also requires Poland to pay Pfizer approximately €1.3 billion.
- Warsaw stopped vaccine deliveries in 2022, citing decreased demand and the war in Ukraine.
- Poland has requested the court freeze the provisional enforcement of the ruling while its appeal is heard.
- The Health Ministry stated the court failed to consider all relevant factual and legal circumstances.
Poland has lodged an appeal against a Brussels court's decision that mandates the country accept approximately 64 million undelivered COVID-19 vaccine doses from Pfizer and pay the pharmaceutical giant around €1.3 billion. Warsaw is also seeking to temporarily halt the enforcement of this ruling while its appeal is processed.
The Polish Health Ministry stated that the court of first instance did not adequately consider all pertinent factual and legal aspects of the case. The ministry affirmed Poland's intention to utilize all available legal defenses, though specific arguments and evidence were withheld to safeguard national interests.
The appealed ruling stems from a 2021 agreement brokered by the European Commission for EU member states. Poland ceased accepting vaccine shipments in 2022, citing a significant drop in demand and the geopolitical impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Pfizer initiated legal action against Poland and Romania the following year.
In April 2026, a Brussels court determined that Poland remained contractually obligated and ordered the payment of €1.3 billion, plus accrued interest and legal expenses, for the doses not received. Pfizer defended the Belgian judgment, emphasizing the importance of contractual commitments for a successful pandemic response and the principle of solidarity among member states. The company indicated it was pursuing compliance through established legal enforcement mechanisms after years of discussions and considerable flexibility shown towards member states' circumstances.