Flu vaccines: EU makes Sanofi’s commitments legally binding
On 14 October 2026, the European Commission accepted legally binding commitments from Sanofi concerning its communications about a rival flu vaccine in France and Germany. The decision closes the investigation without imposing a fine.
The investigation, opened in June, concerned possible disparagement of Fluad, made by CSL Seqirus and competing with Efluelda. Accepting commitments does not constitute a finding of infringement; Sanofi also stresses that it has not acknowledged liability.
According to Reuters’ reporting, the company must stop portraying the rival vaccine negatively or challenging vaccination recommendations in promotional materials directed at French and German healthcare professionals. The commitments apply until 2030.
Sanofi must also publish statements for two years explaining the equivalent positioning of the two vaccines in national recommendations. In a response to AFP, CSL Seqirus welcomed the decision as supporting fair competition. That is the competitor’s position, rather than an independent assessment of the products.