‘Corona vaccines save 20 million lives in first year’

The study looked at data from 185 countries collected between December 8, 2020 and December 8, 2021.

High and middle income countries

Based on calculation models, the researchers conclude that out of 31.4 million potential deaths from a corona infection that year, 19.8 million were prevented by vaccination. That’s a 63 percent reduction.

Most corona deaths were prevented in high- and middle-income countries, namely 12.2 million.

In Europe, the most lives would have been saved, more than 4 million, according to the study. In Africa, where the vaccination rate is by far the lowest (5.5 percent against 56 in Europe), the fewest corona deaths could be prevented with more than 97,000.

China not included

The researchers looked at official data from the 185 countries, or estimates in the absence of official data, as well as the number of excess deaths in that period per country.

China was not included in the study because it has a large population and took very strict measures to prevent the spread. This would distort the results, the researchers say.