Covid vaccines saved millions of lives, mostly of older people

Here's a recent estimate of lives saved by Covid vaccines.

Ioannidis JPA, Pezzullo AM, Cristiano A, Boccia S. Global Estimates of Lives and Life-Years Saved by COVID-19 Vaccination During 2020-2024. JAMA Health Forum. 2025;6(7):e252223. doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2025.2223 

"Question  What was the global impact of COVID-19 vaccinations on deaths during the 2020-2024 period?

Findings  This comparative effectiveness study found that COVID-19 vaccinations averted 2.5 million deaths during 2020-2024 (sensitivity range estimates, 1.4-4.0 million) and saved 15 million life-years (sensitivity range estimates, 7-24 million life-years). The estimated benefits had a steep age gradient.

Meaning  COVID-19 vaccinations had a substantial benefit on global mortality during 2020-2024, but this benefit was mostly limited to a minority of the population of older individuals."