• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers

3

Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees

1

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

2

Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers

3

Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees
HealthCOVID-19 vaccines

Why Europe’s summer COVID vaccination target could still be on track

By
David Meyer
David Meyer
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
David Meyer
David Meyer
Down Arrow Button Icon
February 1, 2021, 10:35 AM ET

Our mission to make business better is fueled by readers like you. To enjoy unlimited access to our journalism, subscribe today.

A couple of weeks ago, the European Commission set a target of vaccinating 70% of the EU’s adults by the start of summer, meaning June 1. But since then, COVID-19 vaccine producers have announced multiple production setbacks—so how achievable is that goal now?

“We are absolutely working towards achieving those targets,” said commission spokesperson Stefan de Keersmaecker on Monday, adding that 500 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines—the first to gain approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA)—will have been delivered to the EU by the end of September.

As it happens, 500 million is around the number of doses that will be needed to vaccinate 70% of the EU’s roughly 365 million adults—assuming each vaccination requires two doses, as is the case with all the vaccines that have been approved thus far.

So far, little more than 12 million doses have been administered in the EU. And, of course, the end of September is four months after the commission’s self-imposed deadline for 70% adult vaccination.

However, recent days have provided several reasons for hoping that the target might still be achievable:

  • AstraZeneca’s two-dose vaccine gained EMA approval Friday, clearing the way for (highly politicized) deliveries to begin. Around half as many doses (40 million) will be delivered to the EU this quarter as were originally promised, but AstraZeneca’s output will likely rise in Q2. Overall, it’s on the hook to deliver up to 400 million doses to the EU.
  • Johnson & Johnson announced positive trial results Friday, while saying it would apply for emergency authorization in the U.S. this week. EMA approval would likely take a while longer, but J&J’s entry into the fray would be hugely welcome, not least because its vaccine requires just one shot rather than two. An EU official said in mid-January that J&J could start delivering vaccines to the EU in April. The bloc has ordered up to 400 million doses.
  • Pfizer and BioNTech said Monday that they will deliver 75 million more doses to the EU in Q2 than originally planned; that’s effectively a doubling of planned deliveries for the quarter. Their production has been boosted by the upgrading of a key manufacturing plant in Belgium, plus approval being given for manufacturing at another plant in Marburg, central Germany. France’s Sanofi, whose own vaccine is not panning out so well, will also produce doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. The EU should receive up to 600 million doses of this vaccine alone during 2021.
  • Don’t rule out Russia’s Sputnik V and China’s Sinovac vaccines for European deployment, at least not yet. German Health Minister Jens Spahn said Monday that they would be worth considering if the EMA gives them the green light, and EU member state Hungary has already partly authorized Sputnik V, with the intention of buying 2 million doses.

Meanwhile, Bayer on Monday officially agreed to make CureVac’s vaccine, a pronouncement that sent CureVac shares up more than 10% on Monday. However, this will have no effect on the EU’s 70%-by-summer target. CureVac’s interim trial data is only expected later this quarter; if it then gains EMA approval, the company is targeting the start of its rollout in Q2—and it would then be around half a year before Bayer starts boosting CureVac’s existing plan to produce 300 million doses this year.

“If everything goes according to plan, the first product is planned to be available at the end of this year,” a Bayer spokesperson told Fortune Monday. In 2022, Bayer hopes to make 160 million doses of CureVac’s vaccine in Wuppertal, western Germany. The EU is supposed to receive 405 million CureVac doses in total.

The European Commission is not the only organization to be hopeful about this summer: The low-cost airline Ryanair said Monday that it hoped to see a strong recovery in passenger levels between July and September, as the EU’s vaccination program becomes effective at scale.

However, the emergence of faster-moving variants of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus could require a very high proportion of the adult population to be vaccinated, if some sort of herd immunity is to become effective. Seventy percent coverage would be a mammoth achievement, but it would probably be only a step toward what’s needed.

About the Author
By David Meyer
LinkedIn icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Health

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Health

d
HealthHospitals
Meet the hospital dogs ‘making a real difference’ by getting sick kids to smile
By Laura Ungar and The Associated PressMay 23, 2026
8 minutes ago
Ashley Yetman
Commentarydisruption
Everyone is blaming AI for the death of ‘craft.’ Take a good look in the mirror
By Ashley YetmanMay 23, 2026
4 hours ago
The health benefits of saunas: backed by research and experts 
HealthHealth
The health benefits of saunas: backed by research and experts 
By Katie MooreMay 22, 2026
23 hours ago
Kaged Whey Protein Isolate Review (2026): Our Honest Opinions
HealthDietary Supplements
Kaged Whey Protein Isolate Review (2026): Our Honest Opinions
By Emily PharesMay 22, 2026
1 day ago
Gabrielle Judge, a content creator known as “Ms. Anti Work"
SuccessWorkplace Innovation Summit
Founder of Ms. Anti Work says her ‘lazy girl job’ allowed her to only work a few hours a day—and she built her media company on the side
By Emma BurleighMay 22, 2026
1 day ago
What is red light therapy?: Our experts break down the new wellness trend
HealthHealth
What is red light therapy?: Our experts break down the new wellness trend
By Katie MooreMay 21, 2026
2 days ago

Most Popular

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
Success
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
By Preston ForeMay 21, 2026
2 days ago
Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers
Success
Indeed chief economist says we’re entering an era of ‘great mismatch’ thanks to a generational imbalance of workers
By Emma BurleighMay 22, 2026
1 day ago
Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees
AI
Microsoft reports are exposing AI's real cost problem: Using the tech is more expensive than paying human employees
By Jake AngeloMay 22, 2026
23 hours ago
Apple’s Steve Wozniak says he cofounded the tech giant after 5 rejections from HP—not to ‘make money.’ For years, his paycheck was just $50
Success
Apple’s Steve Wozniak says he cofounded the tech giant after 5 rejections from HP—not to ‘make money.’ For years, his paycheck was just $50
By Preston ForeMay 22, 2026
1 day ago
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
Success
Despite a $500 million net worth, Shaq just finished his fourth degree. He warns graduates: 'Your character will take you further than your resume'
By Preston ForeMay 20, 2026
3 days ago
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
Workplace Culture
Bolt CEO says he let go of his entire HR team for creating problems that didn’t exist: ‘Those problems disappeared when I let them go’ 
By Preston ForeMay 19, 2026
4 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.