- The rollout of vaccines against the coronavirus (Covid-19) has started in developed countries, but mass immunisation will take time.
- Production represents the main hurdle, as many developed countries have pre-ordered more doses than they need.
- The costs associated with mass immunisation programmes will be significant, especially for less-developed countries that have limited fiscal resources.
- Vaccine diplomacy will play a role in determining which countries get access to a vaccine in the coming months.
- Russia and China will use the rollout of their own coronavirus shots to advance their interests.
- With priority groups vaccinated in rich economies by end-March, The EIU expects global economic prospects to brighten from mid-2021.
- For most middle-income countries, including China and India, the vaccination timeline will stretch to late 2022.
- In poorer economies, widespread vaccination coverage will not be achieved before 2023, if at all.
Read here (The Economist, Jan 27, 2021)
