Von Der Leyen: 70% of adults vaccinated in the EU

The president of the European Union's executive arm said on Tuesday that the 27-nation bloc had reached its goal of vaccinating 70% of European adults by the end of summer.

In a video statement posted on Twitter, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the "great achievement."

Von der Leyen said the milestone meant more than 250 million people were now vaccinated in the EU.

The EU's COVID-19 vaccination campaign got off to a slow start due to supply shortages and delays but now is among the most successful worldwide.

Von der Leyen said the union was also a "lead contributor" to the COVAX initiative, which aims to deliver vaccines to low-income nations.

IMAGE: AP