Poland Fights Back Against €1.3 Billion Vaccine Payment
Warsaw appeals Belgian court ruling in the Pfizergate affair, casting a shadow over trust in EU institutions and Ursula von der Leyen.
Warsaw appeals Belgian court ruling in the Pfizergate affair, casting a shadow over trust in EU institutions and Ursula von der Leyen.
Poland has decided to challenge a Belgian court ruling that orders it to pay €1.3 billion for millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses it never took delivery of. This is the latest chapter in the Pfizergate affair, which is shaking the European Union and putting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen under the microscope over secretive negotiations with pharmaceutical giants.
On Monday, August 4, 2026, the Polish Ministry of Health reported that it had filed an appeal against the ruling of the court in Brussels, seeking to halt enforcement while the case is reconsidered. The decision has sent shockwaves through the Polish public and among officials.
The dispute dates back to the pandemic, when the European Commission signed multi-million-euro contracts with Pfizer and BioNTech for the procurement of vaccines. These agreements later became the cornerstone of the scandal dubbed Pfizergate. During 2023, Poland halted acceptance of deliveries, citing surplus vaccine stock, reduced demand, and the economic fallout from the war in Ukraine, all of which it deemed force majeure.
In April 2026, a court in Brussels rejected those claims and ordered Warsaw to accept approximately 64 million doses and pay €1.3 billion, including interest and legal costs.
Behind the whole story lies a political dimension. Ursula von der Leyen faces accusations of concealing information about negotiations with Pfizer, particularly her refusal to release text messages exchanged with Albert Bourla, Pfizer's CEO. Last year, this controversy led to a motion of no confidence in the European Parliament, but the Commission President managed to survive the ouster attempt.
Pfizer has expressed satisfaction with the court ruling, emphasizing that it confirms the importance of contractual obligations that were crucial to Europe's successful pandemic response. The company also noted that it had shown significant flexibility toward member states before deciding to pursue legal action.
In the appeal, Poland argues that the lower court failed to consider all relevant factual and legal circumstances, but Warsaw has declined to reveal further details of its strategy. The case is expected to drag on for several months. Many analysts believe this ruling could open a Pandora's box for other member states that were also dissatisfied with the vaccine procurement contracts.
If Poland succeeds in its appeal, it could seriously undermine trust in EU institutions and the way negotiations were conducted during the most significant health crisis in recent history. On the other hand, if the ruling stands, Warsaw will have to pay a massive sum that would further strain an already tight state budget, and the question remains how it will handle the huge vaccine stockpiles the court now imposes on it.
