The EU may not order more COVID-19 vaccines from AstraZeneca after current contracts expire, a top official has suggested.
Internal Markets Commissioner Thierry Breton says the bloc now has to be "pragmatic" following the company's failure to fulfill its current contract.
The French commissioner told French TV station BFMTV that Pfizer is simply the more reliable supplier, and the priority will be on dealing with firms that deliver on contracts punctually.
He said: "It's not because of any epidemiological or medical reason.
"It's simply that with the Pfizer vaccine they had to deliver 60 million in the first quarter - they delivered 62 million.
"They had to deliver to us 190 million in the second quarter - they delivered 240 million."
He said that nothing is decided when it comes to contracts, but added that AstraZeneca is set to deliver just 70 million of the 180 million doses ordered by the EU for the second quarter.
French industry minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher has also recently indicated the EU may not sign any new contract with AstraZeneca.
Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would largely focus on mRNA vaccines - the Pfizer and Moderna jabs - for future vaccine needs, although didn't rule out contracts with other companies.
She said talks were underway with Pfizer to secure 1.8 billion doses of the vaccine for 2022 and 2023, describing the company as a 'reliable partner' that has delivered on its commitments.
Ms von der Leyen made the announcement while confirming the bloc was set to receive an extra 50 million Pfizer doses this quarter.
The news came amid significant setbacks to Europe's vaccination programme due to concerns around the Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines.
