Friday, 07 Nov, 2025
By: Anshul Vipat
The study also highlighted gross inequalities around the world
COVID-19 vaccines prevented over 42 lakh potential deaths in India in 2021, a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal. The study based its findings on estimates of "excess" mortalities in the country during the pandemic.
The researchers estimated the number of deaths that were prevented between December 8, 2020 and December 8, 2021, reflecting the first year in which the vaccines were distributed. An estimated 42,10,000 [over 42 lakh] deaths were prevented by vaccination in this period, with the uncertainty in this estimate ranging between 36,65,000-43,70,000 (over 36.6 lakh to 43.7 lakh).
Globally, the mathematical modelling study found that Covid-19 vaccines reduced the potential death toll during the pandemic by nearly 20 million or more than half in the year following their implementation. The study was based on data collected from 185 countries and territories.
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases
The study also highlighted gross inequalities around the world. It found high and upper-middle income countries accounted for the greatest number of prevented deaths (1.22 crore/1.98 crore). This was due to both the greater number of vaccinations administered in these regions and the higher levels of vaccine coverage achieved before the arrival of the delta variant. Across the geographical regions, the estimated number of deaths averted per vaccine administered was estimated to be significantly higher in the European region and significantly lower in the Eastern Mediterranean region. It attributed the low mortality rates in the European region and the Western Pacific region the zero-COVID strategy adopted by some countries such as New Zealand.
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases
It also highlighted that a further 5.99 lakh deaths could have been averted if the WHO’s target of vaccinating 40% of the population in every country by the end of 2021 had been met. The shortfall of COVAX target in several regions was estimated to have resulted in an additional 1,56,900 deaths. Although these deaths constituted a small proportion of the total deaths averted globally, these avertable deaths were concentrated in 25 low-income countries.
It found that 96 countries and administrative regions were below the WHO target of 40% vaccination coverage by the end of 2021.
As of June 2022, 89 percent of country’s adult population has been fully vaccinated, while over 75 percent children under the age group of 12-14 have received their first doses. The Health Ministry data shows that the cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country have exceeded 195.67 crores. This has been achieved through more than 2.50 crore sessions. Also more than 5.99 crore adolescents in the age group of 15-18 have received their first doses.
