Reference:
Kuhbandner, C., & Reitzner, M. (2024). Differential increases in excess mortality in the German federal states during the COVID-19 pandemic. Preprint. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.13098.18880
Summary:
This study examines excess mortality across Germany’s sixteen federal states during the COVID-19 pandemic from April 2020 to March 2023. It utilises statistical methods to assess the observed versus expected deaths, revealing significant variability in excess mortality rates. Initially, there was a strong correlation between excess mortality and COVID-19 deaths and infections in the first two pandemic years. However, in the third year, as vaccination rates rose, a surprising positive correlation emerged between excess mortality and vaccination rates, suggesting potential adverse effects of vaccinations. The findings indicate that while COVID-19 played a role in excess deaths early in the pandemic, subsequent increases in mortality may relate more to vaccination rates than to the virus itself, warranting further investigation into the possible negative impacts of vaccinations.