The CDC's analysis is being taken out of context. The "background rates" they're comparing to are not static — they're based on historical data, not a real-time snapshot of the population. If the general population's death rate was already declining due to factors like improved healthcare or lower incidence of other diseases, the comparison becomes skewed. The vaccinated group might look "healthier" not because of the vaccine, but because the baseline itself is changing. It's like comparing apples to oranges if the oranges are getting riper over time.