Malta vaccinating its population fourth-fastest globally, fastest in EU

Malta is vaccinating 1.1 per cent of its population against COVID on average every week, making it the fourth-fastest nation in the world, and the fastest in the EU.

According to data compiled by Our World in Data, Malta’s vaccination rate is amongst the best in the world, beaten only by the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Israel. 

The data reveals that on average, Malta has vaccinated 1.1 per cent of its population a week since its first vaccination was administered on 27th December, vaccinating 1.9 per cent of the population in the week up to 25th January. 

At this rate, it can be expected that the majority of the Maltese population will have received at least their first vaccine dose in 6 months. 

Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health, Chris Fearne, is pleased with the country’s vaccine rollout, quoting Politico to say, “Malta is the EU champion”.

Globally, the next fastest country after Malta is Turkey, which has vaccinated an average of one per cent of its population a week. The United States follows, also averaging at one per cent, although, it is worth noting that the country is committed to ramping up its vaccination roll-out with President Joe Biden aiming to vaccinate 100 million Americans in his first 100 days.

EU countries are generally lagging behind, with the next fastest of them, Denmark, averaging 0.8 per cent vaccinated weekly.

The EU has been criticised for its slow vaccine rollout and is involved in a dispute with vaccine manufacturers Pfizer and AstraZeneca over vaccine deliveries that fall significantly below what was expected.

Israel is vaccinating its population the fastest, on average vaccinating six per cent of its population weekly. At its current rate, Israel is expected to have vaccinated the majority of its population in four weeks.

The news comes as the nurse's union suggests that at its current vaccination rate, Malta will not achieve herd immunity by September.