Pressure Group Undaunted By EU Refusal To Disclose COVID-19 Vaccine Contracts

Corporate Europe Observatory Cites Overriding Public Interest

The European Commission has dismissed attempts by pressure groups to secure access to details of COVID-19 vaccine deals negotiated with pharmaceutical firms. The Corporate Europe Observatory says it is “disappointed” by the decision but is not giving up the chase.

The European Commission has denied a request for access to the contract it has signed with AstraZeneca PLC for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines on the grounds that disclosure of the documents could “potentially damage the competitive position of the company” as well as the ongoing vaccine procurement procedures.

The request was filed with the commission’s secretariat general by Olivier Hoedeman of the transparency lobbying group, Corporate Europe Observatory (CEO), who cited EU Regulation 1049/2001 on the right of access to documents

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