Finite width corrections to the vector meson dominance prediction for rho ---> e+ e-

Finite-width corrections based on a generalized effective range formula for pion-pion scattering modify by a non-negligible amount the well-known relation between Γ(ρ→e+e−) and Γ(ρ→ππ) derived on the basis of vector-meson dominance. We also present a new current-algebra prediction for the shape and magnitude of σ(e+e−→π+π−) and estimate the ρ-meson contribution to the Schwinger term.