Four years after the first Covid shots, one huge French study offers a clear update.

During the pandemic, governments moved fast. Clinics delivered millions of doses. Lines curled around sports halls and pharmacies. Many people felt relief. Others worried about long-term effects.

Now researchers have followed the evidence. They analyzed health records for about 28 million adults in France, ages 18 to 59. They used the French National Health Data System. They tracked 22.7 million people who received at least one dose between May and October 2021. They also tracked 5.9 million who stayed unvaccinated as of November 1, 2021. Then they watched both groups for roughly 45 months.

The results looked consistent. Vaccinated adults showed a lower risk of death from any cause than unvaccinated adults. Specifically, the study linked vaccination to a 74% lower risk of death from Covid-19. It also linked vaccination to a 25% lower risk of death overall.

Why might overall risk drop? Researchers pointed to a simple chain reaction. When vaccination lowers severe Covid, it can also lower the chance of dangerous follow-on problems, such as secondary infections and complications.

In short, time has passed. Data has grown. And this long look suggests vaccination supported better outcomes for many adults.