Pfizer has just decided to reduce the distribution of its COVID-19 vaccines. This decision, which coincides with President Biden’s announcement to strengthen the vaccination campaign in the United States, will have consequences throughout Europe; suffice it to say that Italy alone will see a 29% cut in the number of doses set out in the agreements.

This is a case of arbitrary distribution by the pharmaceutical company, which is likely to seriously undermine and penalise the vaccination plan currently under way in individual countries. In the regions of north-eastern Italy, i.e. Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Emilia-Romagna and Trentino-Alto Adige, it is estimated that the delivery of vaccine doses will decrease by at least 50%, which will also lead to discrepancies among the Italian regions.

In view of this:

1. What does the Commission intend to do to ensure that Pfizer meets its commitments with the European Union in order immediately to guarantee supplies as laid down in the distribution plan?

2. What action does it think it should take to reassure individual countries, in particular Italy, which has been one of the most successful in carrying out the highest number of vaccinations, that there will not be any problems when it comes to the amount needed for the second booster dose?