RETHINKING THE ROLE OF VASSINATIONS IN MITIGATING COVID-19 MORTALITY: A CROSS-NATIONAL SOCIOECONOMIC ANALYSIS

This study investigates the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination strategies in reducing mortality across a global sample of over 150 countries. A counterintuitive finding emerged: a positive correlation (r= .65) was observed between the percentage of fully vaccinated individuals and COVID-19 deaths in January 2022. Regression analysis, controlling for GDP per capita, confirmed this association, indicating a 0.7% increase in expected deaths per 100,000 with each 1% rise in full vaccination rates. These findings suggest that vaccination alone may not be sufficient to curb the pandemic's negative impacts. Socioeconomic and environmental factors, viral mutations, and technological disparities (e.g., ventilator availability) likely play a significant role in mortality rates between countries. The study concludes that a multifaceted approach encompassing vaccination alongside measures addressing these additional factors is crucial for mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic's spread and mortality.