How Europe Tripped in Covid-19 Vaccine Race
The continent wanted to teach the world a lesson in solidarity. Now its vaccination plan is falling apart.
While other governments were wooing vaccine makers with subsidies and immunity from liability in case of side effects, the EU focused on pushing prices down and slowing negotiations, which resulted in late orders. It also spread its purchases widely to reduce risk, signing deals with companies that are still months away from approved shots. And it was slow to authorize the vaccines it had purchased.
COVID vaccine supply is causing an EU crisis – so what’s being done to speed up production?
Production limits the rate at which vaccines can be rolled out, and is at the heart of the current disagreements between the UK and EU.
But, Mousie, thou art no thy-lane,
In proving foresight may be vain;
The best-laid schemes o’ mice an’ men
Gang aft agley,
An’ lea’e us nought but grief an’ pain,
For promis’d joy!
Robert Burns