The members of The Owl team are not experts in epidemiology. But, like so many others, we have become acutely aware of how COVID-19 and the measures aimed at containing its spread affect the economy. From reduced tourism and immigration to higher health care costs and unemployment, there are many links between the pandemic and the economy.

With this in mind, we have been following pandemic-related developments, including vaccination rates around the world.

From a global perspective, we have a long way to go. According to Our World in Data, 14.6% of the world population has received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while 15.5% is fully vaccinated.* Only 1.1% of people in low-income countries have received at least one dose.

Canada is a leader in this regard. About 62% of Canadians have been fully vaccinated and another 10% have received one dose. This puts us in the top 20 countries and well ahead of our American cousins. About 50% of Americans have been fully vaccinated and another 9% have received one dose.

Comparable data for China are not available from Our World in Data, but the next largest country in the world—India—has a vaccination rate of just 28% (8% fully vaccinated and 20% partially).

Even at about 39 million doses being administered each day, and assuming adequate supply and uptake, it will take time to vaccinate the 5.5 billion people who are yet to receive a single dose.

*A person is considered fully vaccinated if they have received a single-dose vaccine or both doses of a two-dose vaccine.

Answer to the previous trivia question: Edmonton has won 14 Grey Cups while Calgary has won 8.

Today’s trivia question: In what year was the first Edmonton Fringe Festival held?