Europe Wasted $4.3 Billion Worth of COVID-19 Vaccines

POLITICO reported today at least 215 million COVID-19 vaccines purchased by European Union (EU) countries have been recently discarded at an estimated cost of $4.3 billion.

Since COVID-19 vaccines became available in late 2020, EU countries have collectively taken delivery of 1.5 billion doses.

POLITICO's December 18, 2023 announcement is based on data from 19 EU countries. Germany, for example, provided its vaccine waste figures to POLITICO in June 2023.

As 2024 approaches, purchases for updated COVID-19 vaccines continue. 

On December 13, 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that given the current SARS-CoV-2 betacoronavirus evolution and the breadth in immune responses demonstrated by monovalent XBB.1.5 vaccines, the Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition advises retaining the current COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition (monovalent XBB.1.5) into 2024.

There are 12 COVID-19 vaccines currently Listed by the WHO.

In the U.S., only three vaccines are available.

As of December 2, 2023, only 7.7% of children were up to date with the 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine, as reported by the U.S. CDC.

And 17.2% of adults reported receiving an updated 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine since September 14, 2023.

In the U.S., 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccine coverage data using interactive maps, trend lines, bar charts, and tables are available at this CDC link.