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

Since December 2019, over 1.5 million SARS-CoV-2related 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.

Automated summary

Between December 2019 and November 2021, COVID-19 vaccination in 33 countries in the World Health Organization European Region saved approximately 51% of expected deaths in the population aged 60 years and older. The impact of vaccination varied by country, with the largest effect seen in countries where implementation was carried out early.