Recovery has been slower to arrive in the European Union than in other advanced Western economies. The EU was three months later than the UK and US to place its first order for vaccines, and nearly a month late to approve a vaccine for use, leading to a late and slow roll out of its vaccination programme. Economic outcomes have followed suit, with EU GDP in 2021 Q1 well below its pre-COVID level, while the US economy had recovered nearly all its lost ground.

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