COVID shots saved at least 330,000 seniors’ lives last year

COVID-19 booster vaccinations can save tens of thousands of lives in the weeks and months ahead, Biden administration officials said, citing new data that shows the impact of previous shots on hospitalizations and deaths among older Americans.

Primary immunizations were associated with up to 680,000 fewer COVID hospitalizations and between 330,000 to 370,000 fewer related deaths among Medicare beneficiaries in 2021, according to research from the Department of Health and Human Services. Prevention of COVID hospitalizations was associated with savings of more than $16 billion in direct costs, the report found.

Just over one-third of Americans have received their first booster dose, creating concerns about the lag in uptake for updated shots that experts warn leaves the U.S. more vulnerable to a winter surge as COVID variants continue to emerge and the Biden administration struggles to convince Republicans that another $22 billion in funding is needed to keep fighting the virus.

“Given that we have a highly contagious virus that’s still circulating, the single biggest thing people can be doing to protect themselves and their families is getting vaccinated,” White House COVID Response Coordinator Ashish Jha said. “We need everybody to pull in that direction.”

While the dollar savings of COVID shots are significant, those numbers don’t show the full impact of vaccination, according to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.

“You can’t really put a price tag on the value of saving someone’s life,” he said.

In September, the U.S. began rolling out updated bivalent boosters that target the BA.4 and BA.5 versions of omicron, the currently dominant COVID strain. As many as 15 million Americans have gotten the new shots, half of them seniors, health officials said Friday. People older than 75 who are unvaccinated or not up-to-date on boosters continue to account for 70% of deaths occurring today, although overall COVID death rates have dropped significantly from earlier in the pandemic.

Still, the administration’s fall booster campaign has been “substantially hampered by the lack of funding from Congress,” Jha said.

By Madison Muller, Jeannie Baumann, Bloomberg News (TNS)

• • •

Tampa Bay Times 2023 Medicare Guide

Everything Florida seniors need to know to get ready for Medicare enrollment is available at tampabay.com/medicare.

• HOW MEDICARE WORKS: Here’s what seniors need to know about open enrollment, how Medicare works and how to find the best coverage for 2022.

• COMPARE MEDICARE PLANS: The Times has assembled a chart to help Tampa Bay residents shop for the best 2022 coverage in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties.

Keep up with Tampa Bay’s top headlines

Subscribe to our free DayStarter newsletter

We’ll deliver the latest news and information you need to know every morning.

Loading...

You’re all signed up!

Want more of our free, weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.

Explore all your options

• COMPARE PRESCRIPTION PLANS: This chart shows the plans available in Florida under Medicare’s Part D program for prescription drugs.

• THE PLAN FINDER: is another good way to compare coverage. It’s an online tool provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to help consumers compare and shop.

• FINDING HELP: Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders, or SHINE, is a state program that connects with seniors online or by phone to help them navigate the Medicare benefits. Call 1-800-963-5337 or visit floridashine.org.

• COVID SHOTS SAVED SENIORS’ LIVES: Primary immunizations were associated with up to 680,000 fewer COVID hospitalizations and between 330,000 to 370,000 fewer related deaths among Medicare beneficiaries in 2021

• MILLIONS WILL SAVE IN MEDICARE FEES: The rare 3% decrease in monthly premiums will be coupled with a historically high cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits.

• BILLIONS IN BENEFITS UNUSED: Millions of older adults are having trouble making ends meet, especially during these inflationary times. Yet many don’t realize help is available, and some notable programs that offer financial assistance are unused.

• LIFE IS A BALANCING ACT, UNTIL YOU FALL: Maintaining good health is key to a longer life.

• 9 TIPS TO STAY HEALTHY AS YOU AGE: Ideas for staying healthy longer.