Polish prosecutors are investigating potential misconduct by former Health Ministry officials regarding the estimation of COVID-19 vaccine doses purchased in 2021.
Tax Authority Flags Irregularities
The National Fiscal Administration (KAS) alerted prosecutors to possible inaccurate estimations of COVID-19 vaccine doses in 2021, prompting a formal investigation into alleged dereliction of duty by the then-leadership of the Ministry of Health.
KAS conducted an audit at the Ministry of Health and subsequently filed a notification to the prosecutor’s office concerning the failure to properly analyze vaccine needs and the decision to proceed with a third contract on May 20, 2021.
Potential Criminal Offense
KAS stated that such actions, under Article 231, paragraph 1 of the Penal Code, could constitute a criminal offense of dereliction of duty by a public official.
Over 89 Million Excess Doses Purchased
The audit revealed that members of the former Ministry of Health leadership inaccurately estimated the number of vaccine doses needed to implement the National Vaccination Program. This resulted in the purchase of over 89 million additional doses, committing Poland to pay nearly 8 billion PLN to Pfizer Inc.
KAS assessed this action as imprudent and detrimental to the public interest, noting that the Ministry had already contracted enough vaccines to inoculate the entire population.
Prosecutorial Investigation Underway
In April of last year, KAS filed a notification with the prosecutor’s office, and in January, the Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into the dereliction of duty allegations.
NIK Report Raises Concerns
In September of last year, the Supreme Audit Office (NIK) also questioned the COVID-19 vaccine purchases totaling nearly 10 billion PLN, finding that the Ministry of Health had inaccurately estimated demand during the pandemic.
Evidence Gathering and Witness Testimony
Warsaw District Prosecutor Piotr Antoni Skiba stated that the investigation is ongoing, with activities focused on gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses, including individuals from the former Ministry of Health.
Prosecutors have requested the interrogation of officials from the Tax Administration Chamber in Bydgoszcz regarding the irregularities identified in the Ministry of Health audit related to vaccine ordering and procurement.
The prosecutor’s office also requested the release of confidential information from NIK controllers involved in the Ministry of Health audit.
Documents Obtained from Tax Authority
The prosecutor’s office has received documents from the Tax Administration Chamber in Bydgoszcz related to the ordering and purchase of COVID-19 vaccines.
Court Ruling and Appeal
On Wednesday, a court of first instance in Brussels ruled that Poland must accept COVID-19 vaccines from the American company Pfizer and pay the company 5.6 billion PLN. The Ministry of Health announced it will appeal the non-final verdict.