Coronavirus news from around the world

Following criticism in Germany of the pace of the coronavirus vaccination roll-out, a health ministry official has revealed that Berlin has struck preliminary deals for an extra 50-million vaccine doses in the summer – outside what’s been negotiated by the EU. December was the deadliest month of the pandemic so far in Germany – and the number of daily deaths remains high, reaching a new record on Friday. Pressure is high to protect vulnerable groups by quickly rolling out vaccines – but some predictions in German media say if the pace of inoculation continues as it is now, herd immunity would not be reached until 2027.