Why Europe Is Panicking About Vaccines

The European Commission’s fiasco over the vaccine rollout is above all else a terrible concern because of the potential cost in human lives.

It also risks damaging Brussels’ reputation for technocratic competence with regard to its own citizens, giving fresh impetus to euroskeptic forces. It may diminish the European Union’s brand in the world, especially in those countries that might struggle to get access to life-saving jabs because of any EU export restrictions. And it could do long-lasting harm to Europe’s economy, which is struggling to recover after a miserable year of uncertainty and lockdowns.