Overview
- The Epi‑Phare analysis followed French residents aged 18–59, comparing about 22.7 million vaccinated people with 5.9 million unvaccinated, with a median 45‑month follow‑up to March 2025.
- All‑cause mortality was 0.4% in vaccinated individuals versus 0.6% in those unvaccinated, reflecting a 25% lower risk, with a 74% reduction in deaths attributed to severe COVID‑19.
- Mortality was lower in the vaccinated group across multiple causes, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and digestive diseases, directly rebutting claims of vaccine‑driven “turbo‑cancers.”
- The peer‑reviewed study in JAMA Network Open used France’s SNDS national health database and adjusted for demographic, clinical and socio‑economic differences while acknowledging possible residual confounding.
- Serious adverse events such as myocarditis and pericarditis were rare and did not change overall conclusions, aligning with current French guidance that prioritizes boosters for older and higher‑risk people.