COVID-19 Vaccine Surveillance Report Published - 17 September 2021

National coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine surveillance report, including estimated number of hospitalisations and deaths prevented.

Public Health England (PHE) has published its latest weekly COVID-19 vaccine surveillance report.

230,800 hospitalisations prevented by COVID-19 vaccines in those over 45

The latest PHE estimates suggest that 230,800 hospitalisations have been prevented in those aged 45 years and over in England as a result of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, up to 5 September.

The latest report included hospitalisations averted in those aged 45 to 64 years for the first time. Around 51,900 hospitalisations have been prevented in this age group, which includes healthy individuals and at-risk groups, the latter prioritised earlier in the campaign.

Approximately 46,500 admissions were prevented in those aged 65 to 74, 73,800 in those aged 75 to 84, and 58,600 in those aged 85 and over.

The indirect effects of the vaccination programme are not included in this analysis. There is evidence that vaccines prevent infection and transmission. Therefore, the figure of 230,800 hospitalisations prevented is likely to be an underestimate.

The number of hospitalisations averted by vaccination can be estimated by considering vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation, vaccine coverage and observed hospitalisations, as well as through modelling.

Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at PHE, said:
"It is encouraging to see such high numbers of hospitalisations prevented, including a large number in younger age ranges. These figures show the vital role that vaccines play in protecting against severe disease and reducing pressure across the NHS.

"The vaccine helps protect you and those around you. To gain maximum protection, it is important that you get 2 doses of the vaccine."