I would have preferred an earlier lockdown/ lesser infection than an accelerated vaccination, but our government seem to be against proactive control measures. But, that's not to say the accelerated vaccination isn't very welcome in the UK, it very much is, and the progress of it's roll out has been unreal, which is about the only positive I can give the government, but credit where credit is due on this one.
I do think every nation will have spring/ summer to catch up, when infections will naturally drop again (if managed correctly), then the big test of the vaccine will come next winter I expect, and I expect most of the EU will have similar percentages vaccinated by then, and similar performance. Ultimately though, over this winter, I think we will lose more lives through poor covid control, than what we gain in vaccine protection, as a net % figure, compared to the rest of the EU. This may manifest as less deaths next winter for our at risk groups, compared to the EU (but will possibly be because we killed them this winter instead).
I kind of think that most of this vaccine scenario has come about because our hand has been forced mind, to provide a counter, to lighten the death toll cloud, a bit of a "yeah, we're really bad at that (deaths), but look how good we are at this (vaccine)". I also think this has been done to give some hope to those that are struggling that there's not much longer to go. The crazy thing is, this turn of events has probably led to us calling off our supplies of the vaccine early, and hence "beating the rush". So by a crazy turn of events, our ineptitude, has led to a gain, which I will happily take.
One thing to look out for here, is if our vaccination figures come down when the deaths figures do, then you will know they've been jacking up the vaccine figures (to an unsustainable rate, that exceeds supply), just to paper over the cracks of the cases and deaths figures. But if we maintain the 500k per day, I will be ecstatic. I would love to know what vaccine stores we have, and when our orders are due!
As for splitting the vaccine dose over more people (many once, rather than half twice), I think this is a good idea for those at risk, over 70's and healthcare workers, but not for those outside that group (not yet). Or not to a point where someone 2-10x more likely to die with half immunity, loses out their second dose to give a first vaccine to someone who is extremely low risk (or has already had Covid).
There are a couple of benefits of doing it this way, which would be hard to quantify, but would happen:
1) A massive benefit to this is that splitting the dose gets the word out more (very important, as pensioners more likely to rely on word of mouth than go internet stalking), and then this should increase uptake.
2) This would also mean more people will have had their first dose, which should help cool down the anti-vaxers, non-believers, covid deniers etc. If you don't get them then, you never will.
3) This is also massively multiplying the number of people subjected to the vaccine(s), so far better for monitoring (worldwide benefit, as well as the UK).
4) There's also a slight benefit that there isn't a lot of people going around with two jabs thinking they're invincible in winter (the most at risk, at the most at risk time), which could greatly increase the risk to those who wouldn't have had any jabs (in the same risk brackets).
If those in the EU wanted to have purchased their own vaccine, and started administering it themselves, through their own approval, then I imagine they could have done this of their own accord, but it seems none of them have been quite as desperate as us, and this has been compounded by supply issues to the EU orders (probably not the fault of the EU).
