Bill Emmott: Herd immunity is closer than you think

The world will have been vaccinated far sooner than most now expect, chiefly thanks to Chinese donations and sales of vaccines, with some belated but welcome help from the West, writes Bill Emmott.

Residents line up to receive the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine at a vaccination center in the Central Business District in Beijing recently. After a slow start, China is now administering shots at a staggering pace. Photo: AP/Andy Wong

When will the world have vaccinated 80% of all adults, the level presumed by scientists to produce herd immunity against Covid-19? 

Most people’s answer is 2023 or 2024, which suggests deep pessimism about the progress of vaccinations outside the rich world. That is also why pledges at the recent G7 summit to donate one billion doses to poor countries during this year and in 2022 look to some like generous game-changers.