THe vaccines probably prevented millions of deaths but not 100% sure. We could have just locked down all old unhealthy people, diabetics, and obese while the rest of society lived a semi normal existance. Childhood obesity skyrocketed during the lockdown and hasn't stopped climbing. Lockdowns were terrible and weren't needed for this virus.
BTW, the global economy didn't recover quickly. Are you from the USA? Most the world has struggled since the Covid.