Scientists: 135,000 people died in US due to refusal from getting vaccinated

US epidemiologists have found out that approximately 135,000 people died between May and December 2021 due to the mass refusal of US residents to vaccinate against coronavirus, Report informs.

“Extrapolated to the US population we estimated approximately 135,000 excess deaths during the study period in persons >18 years old. Our estimates are an underestimate of all excess deaths that have occurred since vaccine became available because our analysis period was limited to May 30 to December 4, 2021 and many excess deaths occurred before and after this period. In summary, we used retrospective data to provide an estimate of the substantial number of COVID-19 deaths among the unvaccinated illustrating the importance of vaccination to prevent further unnecessary mortality during this pandemic,” reads the report.

In the past few decades, the popularity of anti-vaccination movements has grown dramatically both in the United States and in many other developed countries. This is attributed to the internet and other means of rapid dissemination of information.

This issue grew particularly acute and politicized after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the development of the first vaccines against it. From 30 to 35% of US residents considered vaccinations against coronavirus not safe enough and refused them. US government’s plans to introduce 'vaccine passports' and mandate vaccines for certain categories of citizens sparked even more outrage.