A study from The Commonwealth Fund has found that over the last two years, COVID-19 vaccines have prevented 18 million hospitalizations and more than 3 million deaths.
Since the administration of the first COVID-19 vaccine two years ago, the U.S. COVID-19 vaccination program has saved millions of lives and prevented millions of additional infections and hospitalizations, according to a study conducted by The Commonwealth Fund. The rapid vaccine roll-out has led to more than 655 million vaccines given across the country, with 80 percent of the population having received at least one dose, noted researchers.
To estimate the number of hospitalizations and deaths prevented in the U.S. from December 2020 through November 2022, researchers utilized a computer model of disease transmission to simulate the scenario of the observed pandemic trajectory but without a vaccination program. Understanding the impact of the vaccines is critical for future evidence-based actions, said researchers.
Through their analysis, they found:
- COVID-19 vaccines prevented more than 18.5 million hospitalizations and 3.2 million deaths
- If there weren’t COVID-19 vaccinations, there would have been nearly 120 million more cases
- The vaccination program saved the U.S. $1.15 trillion in medical costs
The researchers also underscored the success of the vaccines considering the number of variants that have developed throughout the two years and their ability to still provide protection and reduce the severity of infection, particularly the “immune-evasive” Omicron variant.
“The unprecedented pace at which vaccines were developed and deployed has saved many lives and allowed for safer easing of COVID-19 restrictions and reopening of businesses, schools, and other activities,” wrote study authors. “This extraordinary achievement has been possible only through sustained funding and effective policymaking that ensured vaccines were available to all Americans. Moving forward, accelerating uptake of the new booster will be fundamental to averting future hospitalizations and deaths.”