COVID vaccines saved over 2.5 million lives worldwide, research shows. They work.
COVID-19 vaccines have prevented more than 2.5 million deaths globally since their rollout, according to a new analysis published in JAMA Health Forum.
The research found that one life was saved for approximately every 5,400 doses administered between 2020 and October 2024.
The vast majority of lives saved—about 90%—were among people aged 60 and older, who have consistently been at the highest risk of severe illness from the virus. Interestingly, more than half of the lives saved occurred during the Omicron wave, emphasizing the ongoing importance of vaccination even amid new variants.
The findings underscore how critical early and widespread immunization efforts were, particularly among older adults. Researchers note that while children and young adults gained some protection, their share of lives saved was minimal—just 0.01% for children and 0.07% for those in their 20s.
In an accompanying editorial, Dr. Monica Gandhi of UCSF criticized U.S. pandemic policies that promoted widespread vaccination and school closures for low-risk groups. Instead, she advocates for a risk-based vaccination strategy moving forward, especially as booster campaigns continue.
The evidence remains clear: vaccines have been a life-saving tool, particularly for society’s most vulnerable.
source
Gandhi M. COVID-19 Vaccination Saved Lives and This Matters in 2025. JAMA Health Forum. 2025;6(7):e252237