Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament today urged Pfizer and AstraZeneca pharmaceutical companies to fulfil the obligations they engaged in when they signed the contract with the European Union, following news that their delivery of vaccines may be delayed.

The leader of the S&D Group, Iratxe García MEP, said:

“It is of outmost importance that these companies comply within the time framework agreed with the Commission, and do so with total transparency. Otherwise it would endanger the vaccination strategy of the European Commission, which aims to have 70% of EU population vaccinated by the end of the summer.

“There is still time, but the Commission must react with determination and force these companies to comply with the legal duties acquired, and a precise calendar.

“At the same time, I fully support the joint efforts by the Commission, member states and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to work with these and other pharmaceutical companies to maximise vaccine manufacturing capacity to speed up the vaccination process. We must keep our unity and join forces to ensure that we can protect lives and get back to normality as soon as possible.”

The S&D Environment Committee Coordinator, Jytte Guteland, added:

"There is no more time to waste. We expect all pharmaceutical companies to honour their contractual agreements with the European Union without further delay.  The more time we wait, the more our citizens’ lives and our economy recovery are at risk. It is of utmost importance for the health of our citizens that we have a wide and rapid distribution of vaccines.

"Europe must continue on the path of coordination and joint undertakings. The agreed contracts are vital to enable all EU countries to access vaccines in a manner of solidarity and fairness. Together we are stronger. Nobody is really safe until everyone is safe."