But as of 2 July, COVAX had shipped 95 million doses

[GoodTaste]

COVAX has pledged to vaccinate one-fifth of the population of each LMIC by delivering two billion doses by the end of this year. It has purchased 2.4 billion doses — up from 1.1 billion in March, according to data from the Duke Global Health Innovation Center. But as of 2 July, COVAX had shipped 95 million doses, up from 65 million in May.

Source: Nature: COVID vaccines to reach poorest countries in 2023 — despite recent pledges

I understand "But as of 2 July, COVAX had shipped 95 million doses" as "But as of 2 July, COVAX had only shipped 95 million doses." Am I on the right track? The phrase seems to emphasize a situation of "Pledged more yet done less", criticizing the work fallen short of the plan. I am not very sure. With "only" there it would be obvious, but without it it is not apparent to me and I am unaware of whether the author missed out the word "only", or deliberately dropped it.

 

[emsr2d2]

The word "but" has the same effect here.

 

[Tdol]

However, that is up on the May figures, so it is an improvement, albeit a small one.