The causes of Australian excess deaths in 2021, and beyond: An ecological study considering COVID-19, the lockdowns, and the vaccines

BackgroundNumerous concerns have been raised about excess mortality persisting beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 and the lockdowns are typically offered as explanantia, with some suggesting that COVID-19 vaccines could be contributing. With its relative isolation it is prudent to pay attention to Australia, which provides a unique opportunity to consider what effectively became a large-scale vaccine safety trial.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to determine the plausibility of COVID-19 vaccination contributing to Australia's excess mortality.MethodsVarious regions of Australia displaying excess mortality were identified, and then the plausibility of three explanantia were considered in turn: COVID-19, the lockdowns, and COVID-19 vaccines.FindingsI found that in 4 of Australia's 8 major regions excess mortality was present, correlating with rapid and thorough COVID-19 vaccination programs, before mass exposure to COVID-19, and in the absence of lengthy and highly restrictive lockdowns.ConclusionsCombined with increasing evidence that the efficacy/effectiveness and safety of COVID-19 vaccines have been greatly exaggerated, including acknowledgements from the Australian and American governments that several deaths have been caused by the vaccines, these findings make it a near-certainty that COVID-19 vaccines have been - and continue to be - contributing to excess mortality.