City’s Vaccination Campaign Has Prevented an Estimated 250,000 Cases, 44,000 Hospitalizations and 8,300 Dea - NYC Health

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City’s Vaccination Campaign Has Prevented an Estimated 250,000 Cases, 44,000 Hospitalizations and 8,300 Deaths Related to COVID-19 in 2021, Analysis Shows

Over 98% of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths related to COVID-19 in 2021 were in unvaccinated people

The COVID-19 vaccines are particularly effective in preventing hospitalization and death

July 14, 2021 — Epidemiologists at Yale University, supported by the Commonwealth Fund, estimated that New York City’s vaccination campaign has prevented about 250,000 COVID-19 cases, 44,000 hospitalizations and 8,300 deaths from COVID-19 infection since the start of vaccination through July 1, 2021. The Health Department today also released new data showing the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines and the continuing risk that the virus presents to unvaccinated people. Between January 1, 2021, and June 15, 2021, 98.4% of hospitalizations (36,628 out of 37,211) and 98.8% of deaths (8,069 out of 8,163) from COVID-19 infection were in those who were not fully vaccinated.

“Vaccines are safe and astonishingly effective at protecting you and your loved ones,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “Our city has been through too much suffering to allow hospitalizations and death to needlessly continue. The stakes are so high, and we simply cannot emphasize enough how urgent it is for New Yorkers to get vaccinated.”

COVID-19 Outcomes in New York City Residents (1/1/2021 – 6/15/2021)

Total
Fully Vaccinated
n (%)
Not Fully Vaccinated
n (%)

Cases
500,302
5,279 (1.1)
495,023 (98.9)

Hospitalizations
37,211
583 (1.6)
36,628 (98.4)

Deaths
8,163
94 (1.2)
8,069 (98.8)

The proportion of fully vaccinated people is low across COVID-19 outcomes, with fully immunized people comprising 1.1% of cases, 1.6% of hospitalizations, and 1.2% of deaths. Over 4.3 million New Yorkers are fully vaccinated; however, many New Yorkers have yet to receive the vaccine and are still at risk of COVID-19 and potentially severe outcomes like hospitalization and death. Inequities in vaccinations rates persist; only 36% of adult Black New Yorkers are fully vaccinated compared to 53% of adult White New Yorkers and 79% of Asian American and

Pacific Islander New Yorkers. These data are limited to successful matches of COVID-19 vaccinations in the Citywide Immunization Registry (CIR). Due to reporting delays, more recent data are incomplete.

The rise of more infectious variants also pose a threat, particularly to unvaccinated New Yorkers. As of July 9, there were 309 confirmed and probable cases (seven-day average), up 72 cases from the week prior (237 confirmed and probable cases on July 2, seven-day average).

A new preprint analysis produced by Health Department scientists and academic colleagues also showed the real-world effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. During the first two months of eligibility for New Yorkers aged 65 and older, the City’s vaccination program reduced hospitalizations from COVID-19 by approximately 15%. These findings show the importance of continuing to increase vaccine uptake, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Get Vaccinated!

If you are not yet fully vaccinated, you are still at risk for getting and transmitting COVID-19, so you must continue to follow public health precautions – wear a mask, avoid crowds, stay home if you’re not feeling well, get tested, and get vaccinated.

It has never been easier to get vaccinated against COVID-19 in New York City. People 12 years and older can now go to vaccination sites citywide without an appointment. To better meet New Yorkers where they live, work, go to school and play, New York City has deployed temporary, roaming vaccination sites across the city and is offering at-home vaccinations. Appointments at vaccination sites are not required, but you can book an appointment at many of these sites in advance online or by calling 877-VAX-4NYC.

A fully vaccinated person is much less likely to get sick or spread the virus that causes COVID-19. Any activity is safer when you are vaccinated, and in most settings, you will not need to wear a face covering or stay 6 feet away from others. For more in-depth information about the vaccine, including its ingredients and how it was developed and proven safe, visit our Vaccine Facts page.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Patrick Gallahue / Michael Lanza,

PressOffice@health.nyc.gov