Estimated number of deaths directly averted in people 60 years and older as a result of COVID-19 vaccination in the WHO European Region, December 2020 to November 2021

Abstract

Since December 2019, over 1.5 million SARS-CoV-2-related fatalities have been recorded in the World Health Organization European Region - 90.2% in people ≥ 60 years. We calculated lives saved in this age group by COVID-19 vaccination in 33 countries from December 2020 to November 2021, using weekly reported deaths and vaccination coverage. We estimated that vaccination averted 469,186 deaths (51% of 911,302 expected deaths; sensitivity range: 129,851–733,744; 23–62%). Impact by country ranged 6–93%, largest when implementation was early.

COVID-19 vaccination uptake strongly predicts averted deaths of older people across Europe

“…The results of our further analysis support the important data published by Meslé et al [3], by confirming the existence of an almost exponential relationship between vaccine uptake and deaths of older people saved in the European region, thus further supporting the foremost importance of reinforcing nationwide COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, especially in those countries where vaccination programmes have been less successful. Vaccine uptake in Europe (%) Expected older people deaths averted by vaccination (%)…”

“…We downloaded the data reported in table 1 of the article of Meslé et al [3] into an Excel Worksheet (Microsoft Excel; Microsoft, Redmond, WA, US), which were then used to perform univariate (Spearman's correlation) and multivariate (multiple linear regression analysis) correlations, using Analyse-it (Analyse-it Software Ltd, Leeds, UK). The study was based on data published in the article of Meslé et al [3], so that no Ethics Committee approval was necessary. This analysis study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.…”

“…Despite physical preventive measures such as face masking, social distancing and hand hygiene may be effective to limit virus spread, widespread COVID-19 vaccination is an unavoidable resource to further contain the dramatic medial, societal and economic consequences of COVID-19 [2]. In a recent article, Meslé et al demonstrated that nationwide vaccination campaigns have been effective to avert as many as 51% deaths in people aged ≥60 years in the European region between December 2020 and November 2021 [3]. Nonetheless, since a broad heterogeneity could be noted in the percentage of averted deaths across the different European countries, we carried out an additional analysis of this data.…”

Historically High Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Switzerland, Sweden, and Spain

“…Excess mortality in 2020 might have been even higher if not for strong public health interventions worldwide ( 52 ). Early estimates suggest that vaccination prevented approximately 470 000 deaths in persons aged 60 years or older across 33 European countries between December 2019 and November 2021 ( 53 ). Because the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, a more conclusive assessment will have to wait.…”

Global disparities in public health guidance for the use of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy

“…Global deployment of COVID-19 vaccines is essential for saving lives in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. 1–4 A majority of countries have developed policies to guide COVID-19 vaccine use. While most countries have prioritised vaccination of healthcare workers, the elderly and other populations at increased risk of infection or severe disease, recommendations related to COVID-19 vaccine use in pregnancy vary widely.…”