

Catch-up mustered: Europe’s vaccination drive
Jun 3, 2021
Stanley Pignol, a Paris-based writer for The Economist, discusses the EU's vaccination progress and challenges in achieving equitable distribution. Susanna Savage, covering Bangladesh, reveals the complex and strained relationship between the government and the influential Islamist group Hefazat Islam amidst ongoing political unrest. Tim Cross, a science and tech expert, explores innovative genetic engineering techniques, like using CRISPR to control mosquito populations and combat disease, raising both hope and ethical considerations in the battle against mosquito-borne illnesses.
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EU Vaccination Drive Improves
- The EU's COVID vaccination drive has improved significantly, with rising vaccination numbers and easing restrictions.
- A COVID passport scheme launched this week could enable free travel throughout the EU.
EU Vaccination Catch-Up
- The EU is catching up to the US and Britain in vaccination rates, aiming for 70% adult vaccination by summer's end.
- Supply bottlenecks have eased, with over 400 million jabs expected by June 30th.
Early EU Vaccine Issues
- The EU's initial vaccine procurement was slow due to less aggressive investment compared to the US and Britain.
- AstraZeneca delivery shortfalls and export controls further hampered the rollout.