Every Picture Tells a Story: COVID-19 Global Vaccinations

As always, the data from this comes from Our World in Data, and it reflects the current data as of May 1^st. 

With nearly half of our population partially vaccinated, perhaps a partial victory lap is in order. The significant difference in our results versus the EU can be attributed to the real and perceived difficulties with the AstraZeneca vaccine – and they are the last bright spot on the horizon. Globally we have 7.7% partially vaccinated and a long way to go.

Here is the same graphic showing those that are fully vaccinated. As expected, the percentages are smaller. You can see the advantage of a one-and-done policy for much of the globe, especially those regions that have significant logistical problems with a cold transport chain. 

By the way, for the sharp-eyed amongst us – there is no data available from China, so we have no idea how they are doing. China is not acting as a global citizen. Much is being made of the current COVID-19 catastrophe in India. I do not wish to belittle the ongoing tragedy, but I do want to apply a bit of perspective, as the table shows.

* India has a population of approximately 1,391,271,798; the US 332,915,073

At our peak in the US, on January 11^th we had 250,428 new cases when adjusted for our population that gave us 775 cases/100,000. While the chart is correct and India’s actual case count is far higher than ours, the numbers take on different meanings when adjusted for a population. 

That our deaths were not greater, or hospitals more crowded reflects the resilience of our healthcare system.