“40% vaccinated in the UK and only 1% here? Somebody be lying.”
The difference can be somewhat explained by the widespread use of the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine in the UK (which is less effective than the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines - AZ vaccine is not used in the USA), and also the policy that the UK had, of delaying second shots (16 weeks or more), to get more people their first shots sooner. That worked well against the original strain or Kent (Alpha) variant (and no doubt saved lives back then), but the first AZ shot is only 30-something percent effective against Delta. The Pfizer first shot is significantly more effective against Delta.
The UK has now shifted over to primarily using Pfizer, and has made second shots available after three weeks, in response to Delta.
RE: The Pfizer first shot is significantly more effective against Delta.
How is Israel coping, given the fact that they are one of the world’s most vaccinated country and they use Pfizer as their main vaccine?