Public Health England have estimated that at least 10,400 deaths have been averted as a result of the COVID-19 vaccination programme up to the end of March 2021. There is increasing evidence that both vaccines in use in England prevent infection and transmission. These findings provide further evidence that the COVID-19 vaccination programme is already having a significant impact on severe COVID-19 disease in England beyond the effect of the national lockdown. Furthermore, the true value of these vaccines may be in terms of future deaths we might now avoid if there is a resurgence of covid-19 in the UK in the future.