Vaccinations should remain a priority in health policy

Vaccinations against Covid-19 allowed to avoid approx. 61,000 additional deaths in Poland. Were it not for them, the total number of deaths as a result of this disease in 2021 would be almost twice as high and would reach nearly 129,000, as shown in the analysis of the Institute for Structural Research. Meanwhile, in Poland, the vaccination rate is still one of the lowest in Europe.

"Although we are approaching the end of the pandemic in terms of mass waves of infections, the disease will remain with us. Therefore, in the coming quarters and years, we should focus on protecting people at risk: people over 70, with obesity, diabetes, and other diseases coexisting," Piotr Lewandowski of the Institute for Structural Research said.

"Scientists distinguish two main dimensions of vaccine effectiveness. One is protection against infection as such, and the other is protection against severe disease and death. Covid-19 vaccines are very effective in protecting against severe disease and death. calculations, it remains at the level of 85-90 percent," Piotr Lewandowski said.

In Poland, over 111,000 people have so far died due to Covid-19. In 2021 alone, there were approximately 68,500 victims, 65 percent of which were people who died during the spring wave (from January to May inclusive, when the vaccination coverage rate was around 18 percent).

(Newseria)