The immunisation campaign against COVID-19 in England prevented almost 12,000 deaths from the disease and more than 30,000 hospitalisations in older people, according to an analysis by the government's Public Health England (PHE).
Britain has given two-thirds of its adult population at least one dose of vaccine against covid-19.
By the end of April, the covid-19 vaccination programme had prevented 11,700 deaths in adults aged over 60 across England, according to PHE. It is also estimated that 33,000 people aged over 65 were avoided from hospitalisation in the same period.
The PHE data do not relate to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
PHE also pointed out that these estimates only relate to the immediate effects of vaccines, while “clear and growing” evidence that vaccines prevent the transmission of covid-19 means that the number of deaths and hospitalisations avoided thanks to vaccines is likely to be higher.
“The vaccine has already saved so many lives and now we can see the huge impact it is having in preventing serious disease and therefore protecting our hospitals,” said Mary Ramsey, PHE's head of immunisation.
