Vaccines save 12,000 lives

CoVID vaccines have saved almost 12,000 lives and prevented 33,000 hospitalisations, figures revealed yesterday.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock hailed the numbers as ‘remarkable’ after a ‘heartbreaking year’.

Jabs prevented at least 11,700 deaths in those aged 60 and older from December last year to april, public Health england found. this included 9,900 among those aged 80 and over, 1,500 in the 70 to 79 age group and 300 in those aged 60 to 69.

Mr Hancock said yesterday: ‘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.’

He added: ‘this is further proof that getting a vaccine is one of the most important things you will be asked to do in your lifetime.’

Government figures yesterday showed that a further 11 people had died from the virus, the same as the previous day.

the latest research compared the actual number of deaths with those which would have been likely to occur had the vaccines not been available.

and it estimated that jabs averted some 33,000 hospital admissions including 3,900 among those aged 65 to 74, 13,100 in those aged 75 to 84 and 16,000 in those aged 85 and over.

Dr Mary ramsay, of 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.’ and vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said: ‘Wherever you come from, whatever your religion, ethnicity or background, make sure to book in your vaccine when the time comes.’