UK’s high Covid case rates buck trend as western Europe outperforms east

Slower vaccination rates in east lead to dramatic surge in cases, while UK remains outlier in west

Higher vaccination rates are translating to lower Covid infection and death rates in western Europe than in parts of central and eastern Europe, the latest data suggests - except in the UK where case numbers are surging.

Figures from Our World In Data indicate a clear correlation between the percentage of people fully vaccinated and new daily cases and fatalities, with health systems in some under-inoculated central and eastern EU states under acute strain.