EU Launches Coordinated Effort to Vaccinate 450 Million Citizens Against COVID-19

Strategic Insights -

European Union nations have launched a coordinated effort to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to their 450 million citizens, with the most vulnerable populations, including healthcare workers and the elderly, receiving the first jabs. The vaccinations, developed by Germany's BioNTech and American drug maker Pfizer, began arriving in EU countries last Friday. The EU has seen some of the world's earliest and hardest-hit virus hotspots, including Italy and Spain, with 27 nations recording at least 16 million coronavirus cases and more than 336,000 deaths.

Key Takeaways:

  • The EU has launched a coordinated effort to vaccinate its 450 million citizens against COVID-19, with the most vulnerable populations receiving priority.
  • The vaccinations, developed by BioNTech and Pfizer, began arriving in EU countries last Friday.
  • The EU has seen some of the world's earliest and hardest-hit virus hotspots, including Italy and Spain, with 27 nations recording at least 16 million coronavirus cases and more than 336,000 deaths.
  • Each EU country is deciding on its own who will receive the first shots, with Spain, France, and Germany prioritizing the elderly and nursing home residents.
  • Italy has the worst virus toll in Europe, with over 71,000 dead, and will begin vaccinations with a nurse in Rome's Spallanzani Hospital.
  • Poland is prioritizing doctors, nurses, and others on the front lines of fighting the virus, which has seen high daily infections and deaths this autumn.
  • EU leaders are counting on the vaccine rollout to help the bloc project a sense of unity in a complex life-saving mission.

Statistics:

  • 450 million: the number of EU citizens receiving COVID-19 vaccinations
  • 16 million: the minimum number of coronavirus cases recorded in the EU
  • 336,000: the minimum number of deaths due to coronavirus in the EU
  • 16 million: the number of COVID-19 cases in the EU
  • 336,000: the number of COVID-19 deaths in the EU
  • 71,000: the number of deaths due to coronavirus in Italy
  • 27: the number of EU countries participating in the vaccine rollout
  • 450 million: the EU population receiving COVID-19 vaccinations

Sources:

  • Associated Press, "EU Launches Co-ordinated Effort to Give Covid-19 Vaccinations to Adults Among 450 Million Citizens"
  • European Commission, "Ursula von der Leyen: 'It's here, the good news at Christmas'"
  • Germany's BioNTech and American drug maker Pfizer