The European Commission and AstraZeneca today settled their dispute over COVID-19 vaccine supply.
The European Union (EU) and AstraZeneca have reached an agreement which will secure the delivery of the remaining COVID-19 vaccine doses to EU Member States under the terms of the Advance Purchase Agreement (APA) concluded on 27 August 2020 with AstraZeneca. The agreement will also end the pending litigation before the Brussels Court.
Stella Kyriakides, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, explained: "Today's settlement agreement guarantees the delivery of the remaining 200 million COVID-19 vaccine doses by AstraZeneca to the EU. While this week we reached the important milestone of 70% full vaccination of the EU's adult population, there are significant differences in vaccination rates between our Member States, and the continued availability of vaccines, including AstraZeneca's, remain crucial. And as the strongest supporter of global vaccine cooperation and solidarity, we will continue helping the rest of the world. Our aim is to share at least 200 million doses of vaccines through COVAX with low and middle-income countries until the end of this year. Vaccine solidarity is and remains our trademark".
This settlement agreement provides for the firm commitment by AstraZeneca to deliver, in addition to the around 100 million doses delivered until the end of the second quarter of 2021, 135 million doses by the end of the year (60 million doses by the end of the third quarter and 75 million doses by the end of the fourth quarter) and the remaining doses (65 million) by the end of March 2022.This will bring the total number of doses delivered to 300 million doses as agreed under the contract.
Member States will be provided with regular delivery schedules and capped rebates will apply in the event of any delayed doses.
