Pfizer Makes an Unusual Enemy in $2 Billion Fight Over Unwanted Covid-19 Vaccines

Poland and Romania refused to accept all COVID-19 vaccine doses allocated under the EU's joint procurement agreement with Pfizer, signed in 2021. When they withheld payment for undelivered doses as pandemic demand waned, Pfizer sued both countries in 2023. A Belgian court ruled on April 1, 2026 in Pfizer's favor, ordering Poland to accept ~64 million outstanding doses and pay ~€1.3 billion and Romania to pay ~€564 million (growing by ~€81,000/day in interest). To enforce the judgment, Pfizer targeted Eurocontrol — the Brussels-based intergovernmental body that collects and remits airline route charges — freezing transfers to Poland's PANSA and Romania's ROMATSA, which depend on these route charges for over 80–85% of their revenues. Polish Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak called the move "unacceptable," saying the government would backstop funding gaps. Both PANSA and ROMATSA said air navigation services remain unaffected and are taking legal steps to lift the freeze. Both countries are appealing the Belgian ruling. Pfizer said it took "appropriate steps to ensure compliance through established legal enforcement mechanisms."

Notable Claims

• ▪A Belgian court ruled that Poland must pay Pfizer approximately €1.3 billion for undelivered COVID-19 vaccine doses
• ▪Romania was ordered to pay Pfizer ~€564 million for undelivered COVID-19 vaccines, a sum growing by ~€81,000 per day in interest
• ▪Polish Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak said Pfizer's targeting of PANSA is "unacceptable" and pledged state budget backup
• ▪Both Poland and Romania are appealing the April 2026 Belgian court ruling ordering payment to Pfizer for undelivered COVID-19 vaccines
• ▪Pfizer froze air traffic agency revenues in Poland and Romania via Eurocontrol to enforce its COVID-19 vaccine court judgment