In 2020-2021 the European Commission signed COVID-19 vaccine purchase contracts with pharmaceutical companies worth €71 billion.

Omissions

• The €71 billion figure is the maximum value of the signed contracts, and the 4.6 billion doses are stated by the European Court of Auditors as 'up to 4.6 billion' — a ceiling including optional doses that were not all exercised or delivered. The claim presents 4.6 billion as a firm purchase rather than an 'up to' figure.
• The contracts were signed by the European Commission on behalf of the EU Member States, not directly by Ursula von der Leyen in a personal capacity; the claim attributes the signing to her personally as Commission President.
• The European Court of Auditors' figure covers contracts signed up to November 2021; it reflects contract commitments (potential spending), not actual amounts disbursed, which were substantially lower.

Sources

• PrimaryEuropean Court of Auditors — Special Report 19/2022: EU COVID-19 vaccine procurementBy November 2021, the Commission had signed €71 billion worth of contracts on behalf of the Member States to purchase up to 4.6 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses.
• PrimaryEuropean Court of Auditors — Special Report 19/2022 landing pageThe EU launched its vaccine procurement strategy in June 2020. By the end of 2021, it had signed €71 billion worth of contracts securing up to 4.6 billion doses.
• PrimaryEU Publications Office — Special report on EU COVID-19 vaccine procurement (ECA 19/2022)By November 2021, the Commission had signed €71 billion worth of contracts on behalf of the Member States to purchase up to 4.6 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses.