The first set of data is now available on the ECDC website through the COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker, an interactive ‘live’ dashboard that provides the latest data reported by EU/EEA countries. The purpose of the monitoring tool is to provide an overview of country efforts in the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines.

In this early phase of vaccination campaigns, monitoring the number of doses distributed to countries and doses received by individuals provides useful insights into the progress of vaccine deployment and the evolution of vaccination campaigns. It also provides initial indicative estimates of vaccine uptake for the first and second dose per population targeted by vaccine recommendations on the national level. Monitoring the rollout of vaccines will be further developed as more information on vaccine coverage becomes available.

To add context to the rollout numbers available in the Vaccine Tracker, ECDC has released an overview report on national COVID-19 vaccination strategies, vaccine deployment plans and their implementation, including new insights into some of the critically important challenges that countries are facing.

The report also provides detailed information on groups prioritised for vaccination, vaccine delivery options, management of workforce capacity and supply chains, and systems to monitor vaccine administration and coverage. It identifies current and future challenges and provides lessons learned thus far.

On this occasion, ECDC Director Andrea Ammon said: ‘It is with great pleasure that we launch the Vaccine Tracker that provides a near-live view on vaccination progress in Europe. Vaccination campaigns are not to be viewed merely as a race for the largest numbers at the quickest speed. As the rollout progresses, vaccination strategies will need to be flexible and adaptable.

Our updated report on national deployment plans gives context to the evolution of policies and data available in the Vaccine Tracker. ECDC will continue to work closely with countries to protect the most vulnerable and reduce the burden on our health systems’ The link to the tracker is: https://qap.ecdc.europa.eu/public/extensions/COVID-19/COVID-19.html#vaccine-tracker-tab And the link to the overview report is: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/overview-implementation-covid-19-vaccination-strategies-and-vaccine-deployment