Vaccine projects have 'saved 12,000 lives'
Covid-19 vaccines have saved 12,000 older people’s lives and prevented at least 33,000 hospital admissions in England, new data suggests.
As the number of people to get their first vaccination topped 30 million, figures from Public Health England (PHE) reveal that, up until the end of April, vaccines stopped at least 33,000 people aged 65 and over from needing hospital treatment and saved 11,700 lives among those aged 60 and over.
The study compared the number of deaths with the number that would have been expected if the vaccine had not been given.
PHE estimated that 9,900 lives were saved among people aged 80 and over, 1,500 in those aged 70 to 79 and 300 in those aged 60 to 69.
PHE said the increasing evidence that vaccines help reduce transmission of the virus means the true figures could be even higher.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: "In only a few short months, our Covid-19 vaccines have saved the lives of over 11,700 people and stopped over 33,000 from being hospitalised.
"After a heartbreaking and difficult year, that is remarkable.
"This is further proof that getting a vaccine is one of the most important things you will be asked to do in your lifetime.
"When offered the jab, don't hesitate in securing this protection for yourself and others."
Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at PHE, said: "The vaccine has already saved so many lives and we can now see the huge impact it has had on preventing people becoming seriously ill and therefore also protecting our hospitals."