Poland appeals €1.3 bn Pfizer vaccine judgment

Poland Pfizer vaccine lawsuit 5.5 billion zloty appeal

A Belgian French‑language court of first instance in Brussels ruled on 1 April 2026 that Poland must take 64 million COVID‑19 vaccine doses from Pfizer Inc. and its partner BioNTech and pay more than 5.5 billion zloty (about €1.3 billion) plus roughly 170 million zloty in legal costs. The Polish Ministry of Health filed an appeal, arguing the lower court failed to consider all relevant factual and legal circumstances, and also requested a stay of execution until the appellate court reviews the case. The appeal is supported by the Prosecutor General of Poland and specialised law firms. The dispute stems from Poland’s refusal in 2022 to collect the doses, citing surplus supplies, a decline in pandemic demand and the impact of the war in Ukraine. Pfizer has begun enforcement actions, including seizing assets, while Poland seeks to protect the state treasury and the public‑health system.

Entities

Belgian Court of First Instance (Brussels) · BioNTech Manufacturing GmbH · Ministry of Health (Poland) · Pfizer Inc. · Poland · Polish Ministry of Health · Prosecutor General of Poland · Republic of Poland

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 10 SOURCES] The ministry argues the first‑instance court did not consider all relevant factual and legal circumstances. biznes.wprost.pl · biznes.interia.pl · www.rmf24.pl · www.fakt.pl · razydzisiaj.pl · +5 more
[● 10 SOURCES] The dispute concerns COVID‑19 vaccine doses that Poland did not collect in 2022. biznes.wprost.pl · biznes.interia.pl · www.rmf24.pl · www.fakt.pl · razydzisiaj.pl · +5 more
[● 10 SOURCES] The appeal requests a stay of execution of the judgment pending review by a higher court. biznes.wprost.pl · biznes.interia.pl · www.rmf24.pl · www.fakt.pl · razydzisiaj.pl · +5 more
[● 10 SOURCES] The Belgian Court of First Instance in Brussels issued a judgment on 1 April 2026 ordering Poland to take 64 million doses of Pfizer COVID‑19 vaccine. biznes.wprost.pl · biznes.interia.pl · www.rmf24.pl · www.fakt.pl · razydzisiaj.pl · +5 more
[● 10 SOURCES] Poland's Ministry of Health filed an appeal against the Belgian court judgment. biznes.wprost.pl · biznes.interia.pl · www.rmf24.pl · www.fakt.pl · razydzisiaj.pl · +5 more
[● 10 SOURCES] The judgment required Poland to pay over 5.5 billion zloty to Pfizer. biznes.wprost.pl · biznes.interia.pl · www.rmf24.pl · www.fakt.pl · razydzisiaj.pl · +5 more
[● 10 SOURCES] The judgment also includes approximately 170 million zloty in legal costs. biznes.wprost.pl · biznes.interia.pl · www.rmf24.pl · www.fakt.pl · razydzisiaj.pl · +5 more
[● 10 SOURCES] The appeal is supported by the Prosecutor General of Poland and specialized law firms. biznes.wprost.pl · biznes.interia.pl · www.rmf24.pl · www.fakt.pl · razydzisiaj.pl · +5 more