If it wasn't for vaccines we would be almost certainly be heading for another full national lockdown with a 3rd wave of the most transmittable strain which would undoubtedly cause a big spike in hospitalisations and deaths. The fact we are in the process of gradually relaxing the restrictions is testimony to the fact vaccines are blunting the full impact of COVID. The vaccines are working but it is going to take time to build up community immunity as we get through vaccinating the adult population.