European Commission Sign

The European Union’s vaccine-acquisition strategy

When phar­maceutical companies began distributing COVID-19 vaccines in late 2020 and early 2021, the European Union fell immediately behind the United Kingdom and United States in the number of doses administered. It faced shortages while, at the same time, allowing a substantial share of the vaccines it was receiving to be exported. This slow initial roll-out – which happened just as another wave of the pandemic was hitting many EU member states – has been extremely costly in human and economic terms and has battered the reputation of the European Commission.

Bar reopening in New York

The Pandemic, week to June 18th

Our weekly round-up of news from the pandemic crises, covering health, the economy and politics.

After the G7’s vaccine pledges, China will take the lead

Close shot of a vaccine being drawn from a vial into a syringe. The word COVID-19 floats in the background.

What we know about vaccine hesitancy

Greek letters, which are now denoting COVID variants

The Pandemic, week to June 4th

COVID-19 VACCINE PRODUCTION, TO MAY 31 2021

Visualisation of COVID-19 virus

Variants