EU Court Rules Commission’s COVID-19 Vaccine Purchases Lacked Transparency
The European Union’s General Court has ruled that the European Commission failed to provide sufficient transparency in its COVID-19 vaccine purchase agreements. Despite requests from EU lawmakers and citizens, the commission only released redacted versions of the agreements, leading to legal action.
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The court’s decision is a setback for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who faces scrutiny over her handling of vaccine procurement, particularly regarding her communication with Pfizer’s CEO, Albert Bourla. Von der Leyen seeks re-election and requires a majority vote in the European Parliament.
The court ruled that the commission unjustifiably redacted clauses related to indemnity for pharmaceutical companies, contractual definitions, and provisions on vaccine donation and resale. The judges stated that the public interest outweighs privacy concerns and that the commission failed to demonstrate harm to companies’ commercial interests.
The commission has two months and 10 days to appeal the decision to the EU’s top court. This ruling emphasizes the need for transparency in public health decision-making and the importance of accountability in the use of public funds.
