US vaccine programme: The US vaccination drive has accelerated dramatically

4/6/21 8:00PM

In the last 7 days the United States has administered more than 21 million COVID-19 vaccinations, which is equivalent to roughly 6.5% of the entire US population receiving a dose in a single week (data from Our World In Data).

‍Pump those numbers up

‍The pace being set in the US is now among the fastest in the world, surpassing even the UK's best week from the last few months. If the US maintains this pace (a big "if") it would mean full vaccination coverage could take just another ~15 weeks, assuming "full coverage" is around 75% of a population having had 2 doses. Despite a slower start, Australia, Canada and the EU are also ramping up their programmes.

Although the US acceleration has been impressive, it's still not enough to top the global cumulative leaderboard.Israel remains at the top of that table, having administered 117 doses per 100 people (i.e. they are on their second round for most people).

‍P.S. The 4 countries shown in the chart plus the EU accounts for 95%+ of our readership, but if we haven't plotted your country here we recommend you check out the full data set from Our World In Data.

Jake Lahut

PAIN AT THE PUMP

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The UAE’s OPEC exit will hit the group in the barrels

After just shy of 60 years in OPEC, its membership even predating its status as a nation-state, the United Arab Emirates yesterday announced its shocking departure from the oil production group, effective May 1, as the knock-on effects of the Iran war continue to play out across the Middle East and the energy landscape.

For context, the UAE produces the third-highest amount of oil in the group, per April data and OPEC’s latest set of annual statistics.

According to the cartel’s 2025 Annual Statistical Bulletin, the OPEC group was collectively exporting some 19 million barrels of crude oil a day last year, with the United Arab Emirates accounting for some 14% of that daily output.

UAExit means UAExit

The nation, whose energy minister told Reuters yesterday that the decision was taken “after a careful look at current and future policies related to level of production” and wasn’t made following discussions with any other country, made up a healthy share of the group’s total confirmed crude oil reserves, as well.

Of the 12 nations in the core group, which was founded by just five oil superpowers back in September 1960, only two (Iraq and Saudi Arabia) exported more barrels of crude oil daily, pumping out 3.36 million and 6.05 million barrels, respectively, each day to nations around the world.

For its part, the UAE said it will “continue its responsible role by gradually and thoughtfully increasing production, in line with demand and market conditions,” per the official state news agency. Clearly, the nation now wants a little more control of just how much oil it can pump around the world, with the UAE having to eat a large proportion of lost revenues due to its healthy abundance and OPEC restrictions.