The EU is suing AstraZeneca for not delivering vaccines in accordance with the contract between the two parties, the EU Commission confirmed on Monday. The company denies all allegations.
The lawsuit was filed on Friday, “based on breaches of the pre-contracts,” EU Commission spokesman Stefan De Keersmaecker said.
“Some conditions in the contract have not been met, and the company has not been able to come up with a reliable strategy for delivering the doses on time,” he said.
The lawsuit was announced in several media outlets last week, and the Irish Prime Minister was among those who confirmed that preparations for legal action were underway.
“Unfounded”
In a statement, AstraZeneca said that they regret the Commission’s decision and that they will defend themselves in court.
“We believe any lawsuit is unfounded, and we welcome this opportunity to resolve the conflict as quickly as possible,” the company wrote, adding that deliveries are improving “after an unparalleled year in terms of scientific discoveries, very complicated negotiations, and production challenges.”
The vaccine manufacturer has had major supply problems and has had to report delays in deliveries multiple times. Last week it was announced that the EU would not use the option it has to buy more doses of the vaccine.
As early as March, the Commission sent a letter to the Swedish-British pharmaceutical giant expressing its dissatisfaction.
Side effects
The company’s vaccine, marketed under the name Vaxzevria, has also encountered problems with serious side effects and has been linked to a small number of cases of blood clots and low platelet counts. Several of the cases have been fatal.
Many countries have introduced restrictions on AstraZeneca vaccine use, and in many places, it is only given to the elderly.
In Norway, no one is currently receiving AstraZeneca’s vaccine.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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