LISBON, Portugal (AP) — The new head of Portugal’s COVID-19 vaccination task force is due to start work Thursday. He takes charge a day after his predecessor resigned amid scandals over vaccine queue-jumping and frustration over a sluggish rollout similar to that seen in other European Union countries. At the current rate of vaccination, Portugal will reach its target of 70% of vaccinated adults only in 2023. Its goal was to reach that milestone in late summer this year. Portuguese officials note that they have received fewer vaccines than promised from manufacturers and say EU authorization of more vaccines will help accelerate the program.
