Early Covid-19 vaccination rollout: a commentary from England

Early, rapid, nationally orchestrated vaccine rollout has been a feature in the response to the global coronavirus pandemic in Israel and the UK, two countries with long established, universal socialised health care systems. Although there are many differences between England and Israel, the factors influencing the early days of the rollout merit exploration and learning that could be of benefit to other countries as they grapple to plan their own Covid-19 vaccine programmes. This commentary considers aspects of the rollout in both countries, in response to the article by Rosen and colleagues that identified contributing and facilitating factors in Israel. Whilst vaccine procurement and authorisation has been on a UK basis, and many features of rollout have been similar throughout the UK, the details provided pertain to England.

Automated summary

Early, rapid, nationally orchestrated vaccine rollout has been a feature in the responses of Israel and the UK to the global coronavirus pandemic. The factors influencing the early days of the rollout in these two countries could provide valuable lessons for other countries grappling with planning their own Covid-19 vaccine programmes.