HHS report reaffirms COVID-19 vaccination saves lives

COVID-19 vaccinations are associated with over 650,000 fewer hospitalizations and 300,000 fewer deaths in the Medicare population through December 2021, according to a Health and Human Services (HHS) report. The study also found the vaccines save an estimated $16 billion in direct medical costs. The Commonwealth Fund conducted an analysis finding that a fall booster campaign reaching a similar number of people as the 2020-2021 influenza vaccination rates would prevent more than 75,000 deaths and more than 745,000 hospitalizations. By the end of March 2023, it would generate savings of $44 billion associated with direct medical costs. Meanwhile, the government this week approved bivalent COVID-19 boosters for children between the ages of 5 and 11. (HHS news release, 10/7/22)