Marcel Ciolacu stated that the Romanian Government was aware of the risks of the process with Pfizer since 2023, but tried to delay the payments.

Marcel Ciolacu, the president of the Buzău County Council, stated in a press conference that the Romanian Government was aware since 2023 of the risks of a lawsuit with Pfizer, but chose to "buy time," allowing the company to take the Romanian state to court. Ciolacu mentioned that he did not communicate directly with the former Minister of Health, Alexandru Rafila, but was informed about the risks related to the contract with Pfizer.

He criticized the vaccine order from 2021, considering it "illogical," and emphasized that Romania risked losing the lawsuit. Documents obtained by Digi24 show that the Government was aware of the possible consequences of the contract and that the Ministry of Finance warned that the number of doses ordered exceeded the necessary amount. In 2023, Romania had to choose between accepting an amendment that would have reduced costs or not accepting it, which would have led to additional expenses. Former Prime Minister Nicolae Ciucă emphasized that the final decision belonged to the Ministry of Health.