Global Study Reveals COVID-19 Vaccinations Saved Over 14.8 Million Life-Years Worldwide

A comprehensive analysis led by Stanford University has demonstrated the significant impact of COVID-19 vaccination efforts from 2020 to 2024. The research estimates that vaccination campaigns prevented approximately 2.533 million deaths globally and added an impressive 14.8 million life-years to the population. This study, published in the JAMA Health Forum, employed a comparative-effectiveness approach, combining data across nearly 8 billion people—the entire 2021 world population—stratified by age, residence type, and different infection periods including pre-omicron and omicron variants.

The methodology involved calculating the number of deaths averted by multiplying the vaccinated population in specific strata by factors such as infection likelihood, fatality rates, and vaccine effectiveness. Life-year gains were further adjusted by factors like life expectancy and health status, providing a detailed picture of the vaccines’ extensive benefits.

Results show that a majority of lives saved—about 89.6%—occurred among individuals aged 60 and above, highlighting the significant benefit for older adults. Children and adolescents contributed minimally to the total life-years saved, accounting for only 0.01%. Notably, 82% of the deaths prevented took place among those vaccinated prior to infection exposure, with 57% occurring during the omicron period.

The analysis indicates that most of the lives saved—around 76% of the total life-years—belonged to those over 60, with long-term care residents contributing a small fraction. The authors emphasize that these estimates are conservative and underline the critical role of vaccination in reducing mortality, especially among vulnerable populations.

Overall, this study underscores the profound public health impact of COVID-19 vaccines, providing crucial evidence to support ongoing vaccination efforts and future pandemic preparedness. The findings exemplify how accelerating vaccination can save lives and extend years of healthy life across diverse populations.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-global-analysis-million-life-years.html