Romania has committed to purchasing over 80 million doses of coronavirus vaccine by 2023. Thus, the Romanian government has agreed to accept a total of 80,679,219 doses of vaccine from Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson, as well as vaccines that have never been used by romanians (Valneva and Novavax). The bill for the Romanian government exceeds one billion euros (6,032,660,377 lei).
According to official figures, 8 out of every 10 vaccine doses acquired by the Romanian government are either unused (in stock or on their way) or expired, some donated or resold.
Efficient and transparent use of public funds is mandatory and a defining feature of a functioning democracy. Alternatively, in today's Romania, millions of doses of anti-Covid vaccine have been purchased and are completely useless.
In May 2022, the Foundation for the Defense of Citizens Against State Abuses (FACIAS) asked the Minister of Health, through an open letter, to renegotiate contracts for the purchase of coronavirus vaccines. We have requested that the Romanian government informes the European Commission that it would no longer acquire or pay for millions of needless vaccinations given under the EU-co-negotiated supply contract.
The Health Minister has publicly stated that this renegotiation will take place. Months have passed, and the government has taken no measures to stop the waste.
In these circumstances, FACIAS decided to file a lawsuit against the Ministry of Health in order to compel Romanian authorities to cease the irresponsible acquisition of anti-Covid vaccines. Furthermore, FACIAS will demand that those in charge of public acquisition be held accountable for spending hundreds of millions of euros on vaccines that greatly surpassed the actual need.
FACIAS, according to its statutory purpose, but also through its constant activity over the past 14 years, defends the rights of citizens and seeks to ensure transparency in the functioning of state institutions as a principle of democracy and the rule of law.