Question: To what degree do vaccinations prevent death?

Answer: COVID vaccinations prevent death to a large and substantial degree. Recent CDC analyses (presented here) show that on average in August, unvaccinated people had 6.1x higher risk of testing positive and 11.3x higher risk of dying from COVID.  In August, the average weekly incidence of new cases was 713 per 100,000 population among unvaccinated individuals and 118 per 100,000 among vaccinated individuals.  Meanwhile, the average weekly incidence of deaths was 11 deaths per 100,000 population among unvaccinated individuals and 1 death per 100,000 among vaccinated individuals.  As you know, COVID outcomes increase in severity with age.  Among people ages 80+, the August data show that unvaccinated people had 5x higher risk of dying from COVID (62 deaths per 100,000 vs. 13 deaths per 100,000). (Figure) Of course, the more people who are vaccinated, the fewer cases (including breakthrough cases) and fewer deaths.  Help yourself. Help your neighbor. Get vaccinated!

Figure. Rates of COVID Deaths by Vaccination Status and Age Group (from CDC)