Covid-19 vaccine rollout in England has prevented 22 million infections and 60,000 deaths

The Covid-19 vaccine rollout has prevented an estimated 22 million infections and 60,000 deaths in England, according to new data.

Jabs are also estimated to have directly averted more than 52,600 hospital admissions, new figures from Public Health England (PHE) suggest.

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At a glance: 5 key points

– New data from Public Health England has revealed that the Covid-19 vaccine rollout in England prevented an estimated 22 million infections and 60,000 deaths.

– PHE figures also estimated that the vaccine rollout directly averted more than 52,600 hospital admissions in England.

– Previous estimates had suggested the vaccine rollout had prevented about 37,000 deaths and 11 million infections.

– The statistics cover the period up to July 23 and are based on modelling by PHE and Cambridge University.

– England’s deputy chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said he hopes the worst of the pandemic is behind us but warned there could be “one or two bumpy periods” ahead.

What’s been said?

Prof Van-Tam disputed a claim made to a newspaper by a senior minister earlier this week that Covid is “all over bar the shouting” after cases dropped sharply this month.

Prof Van-Tam told the BBC News channel: “I wish it were so. This is not all over bar the shouting. I hope the worst is behind us but I think it’s quite possible that we’re going to have one or two bumpy periods in the autumn and in the winter, not only through Covid, but also through flu and other respiratory viruses as well.”

He said lockdowns last winter had “completely shut out pretty much all of the other respiratory viruses” which he said could re-emerge this year.

He said: “If we don’t have further lockdowns, and I hope we don’t, then I think other respiratory viruses like flu are also going to come back this winter, and it’s going to be equally important that people who are called for their flu vaccines actually come forwards and have them this winter.”

Dr Jamie Lopez Bernal, consultant epidemiologist at PHE, said the latest modelling on the rollout shows the “remarkable impact” jabs have had on saving lives and reducing the spread of coronavirus.

He said: “As cases have increased, the true scale of protection from the vaccine programme has become clear. Everyone that has come forward for their vaccine has played a part in this vital effort.

“It remains vital that everyone gets two doses of the vaccine, to protect you and those around you from Covid-19. You must book your second jab when invited, to gain maximum protection.”