Israeli scientists, using national surveillance data routinely collected by the Israeli Ministry of Health, estimated that without the national vaccination campaign, Israel would have had 3X the number of hospitalizations and deaths compared with what actually occurred during its latest and largest wave of COVID-19, which could have overwhelmed its healthcare system.
From Dec. 20, 2020, to Apr 10, 2021, Israel launched a massive national COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
Israel has a population of approximately 9·2 million people, of whom 6.5 million are aged 16 years or older. The COVID vaccine was offered to all residents of Israel, initially targeting healthcare workers, long-term care-facility residents, people who are immunocompromised, and those aged 60 years and older.
Vaccination was then offered to younger age groups, and by Feb 4, 2021, all Israeli residents aged 16 years and older were eligible for vaccination.
By April 10, 2021, more than 10 million doses of the vaccine had been administered, with more than 70% of Israelis aged 16 years and older having received two doses, including more than 90% two-dose coverage among adults aged 65 years and older, making Israel’s the fastest and most comprehensive vaccination campaign in the world.
Even in the face of rising breakthrough cases caused by the more transmissible Delta (B1617.2) variant and evidence of some waning protection against mild infections, the study authors estimate the vaccination campaign prevented 158,665 SARS-CoV infections (95% confidence interval, 144,640 to 172,690), 24,597 hospitalizations (18,942 to 30,252), 17,432 severe or critical hospitalizations (12,770 to 22,094), and 5,532 deaths (3,085 to 7,982) during the study period.
During that period, Israel reported 13,338 hospitalization (8,429 of which were severe or critical), and 2,859 deaths from COVID-19.
In a commentary on the study, Frank Sandmann, PhD, and Mark Jit, PhD, MPH from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said the research, “documents the immense success that rapid COVID-19 vaccine roll-out had in terms of reducing COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality at the population level.”
This study is among the ever-increasing number of empirical evidence clearly showing that COVID vaccines work, COVID vaccines save lives. Anecdotal evidence (for example, Facebook posts) is using personal experiences and stories to illustrate your point. Anecdotal evidence can be faked, exaggerated, or manipulated. Empirical evidence is measured, unbiased, and replicable.*
Dr. Melvin Sanicas (@Vaccinologist) is a physician-scientist specializing in vaccines, infectious diseases, and global health.