Chloe Ramirez
The Indian 'Delta' variant of COVID-19 has raised concerns about the effectiveness of vaccines. A study by the Pasteur Institute in France found that while the Pfizer vaccine is slightly less effective against the Indian variant, it still offers protection. Another study found that two doses of the Pfizer vaccine were 88% effective against symptomatic disease from the B.1.617.2 Indian variant. Similarly, a two-dose Moderna vaccine regimen provides long-lasting protection against the Indian 'Delta' variant, with 96% of patients having antibodies six months after their second shot. These findings underscore that vaccination remains the best defence against COVID-19 and its variants, even as the virus continues to mutate. While it is important to continue following safety guidelines, vaccination offers strong protection against severe illness and reduces the likelihood of new mutated forms of the virus developing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of doses required for protection | 2 doses |
| Vaccines that offer protection | Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca-University of Oxford, Moderna |
| Effectiveness of Pfizer vaccine | 88% effective against symptomatic disease |
| Effectiveness of Moderna vaccine | 96% of patients had antibodies 6 months after the second dose |
| Protection against other variants | UK 'Alpha' variant, Brazil 'Gamma' variant |
| Severity of illness in vaccinated people | Vaccinated people tend to have milder cases or be asymptomatic |
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What You'll Learn
Two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are effective
A study conducted by Public Health England found that two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine were 88% effective against symptomatic disease from the B.1.617.2 Covid variant, a subtype of the variant that emerged in India. The research was conducted between April and May, with data collected from April 5 onwards. This covers the period since the B.1.617.2 variant emerged in parts of the UK.
The study also found that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 93% effective two weeks after the second dose against the B.1.1.7 variant, which was first discovered in the UK. This data underscores the need for two doses, as the vaccine was found to be significantly less effective after only one shot.
Dr. Jenny Harries, CEO of the UK Health Security Agency, stated that the study provided the "first real-world evidence of vaccine effectiveness" against the variant first identified in India. The UK's Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, described the findings as "groundbreaking" and emphasised the importance of the second dose in providing the strongest possible protection against Covid-19 and its variants.
While the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine offers protection against the Indian variant, it is slightly less effective compared to its effectiveness against other variants. A separate study by the Pasteur Institute in France found a reduction in antibodies against the Indian variant in those who received the Pfizer vaccine. However, despite this reduction, individuals who received two doses of the vaccine were still protected.
Overall, the available data suggests that two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are effective in providing protection against the Covid variant first discovered in India.
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AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine is less effective after one shot
The AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID-19 vaccine has been found to be 76% effective at preventing symptomatic infection for three months after a single dose. This efficacy increases if the second shot is delayed. The vaccine has been found to reduce the spread of coronavirus by two-thirds, and it is also effective in reducing transmission. A longer interval of 8-12 weeks between the first and second doses seems to be the "sweet spot" for efficacy. This is because immune responses are boosted with a longer interval between the two shots for participants aged 18-55.
However, the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine has been found to be less effective after only one shot, especially against the variant first discovered in India. A study conducted by the Pasteur Institute in France found that the vaccine was able to offer protection against the variant, but those who received the shot showed lesser antibodies neutralizing the variant. This indicates that the variant has developed partial resistance to antibodies.
While the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine is effective after one shot, it is even more effective after two shots, especially against the Indian variant. Two doses of the vaccine provide effective protection against the Indian variant, as evidenced by a study led by Public Health England. The data underscored the importance of receiving two doses of the vaccine for the strongest possible protection against COVID-19 and its variants.
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Moderna's vaccine provides long-lasting protection
A two-dose Moderna vaccine regimen provides long-lasting protection against the Indian 'Delta' variant, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The study found that 96% of patients had antibodies that protected against the Delta variant six months after their second shots. The patients were also well-protected against other variants of concern, including the UK 'Alpha' variant and the Brazil 'Gamma' variant.
The study also found that the Moderna vaccine generated long-lasting immune memory, with memory T cells still present in the body six months after vaccination. This suggests that the Moderna vaccine provides strong and potentially long-lasting protection against COVID-19 and its variants.
While the Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca-University of Oxford vaccines have also been found to provide effective protection against the Indian variant after two doses, Moderna's vaccine has been shown to offer slightly longer-lasting immunity in comparison.
Overall, the Moderna vaccine's ability to generate long-lasting immune memory and protection against the Indian variant underscores the importance of vaccination in protecting against COVID-19 and its evolving variants.
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Vaccines offer strong protection against severe illness
Vaccines continue to offer strong protection against severe illness, according to researchers. Vaccination remains the best defence against Covid-19, even as the virus continues to mutate. Vaccinated individuals still have a much higher level of protection overall.
A study conducted by the Pasteur Institute in France found that the Pfizer vaccine is slightly less effective but still able to offer protection against the coronavirus variant found in India. The study showed that those who received the Pfizer doses saw a reduction in their antibodies against the variant from India, but were still protected.
Another study led by Public Health England found that two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine were 88% effective against symptomatic disease from the B.1.617.2 Covid variant, a subtype of a variant that emerged in India. The vaccine was 93% effective two weeks after the second dose against the B.1.1.7 variant, which was first discovered in the UK.
A two-dose Moderna vaccine regimen also provides long-lasting protection against the Indian 'Delta' variant, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The study found that 96% of patients had antibodies that protected against Delta six months after their second shots.
While fully vaccinated transmission is possible, real-world data suggest that vaccinated people are unlikely to get a severe case of Covid. The vast majority of Covid patients in American hospitals are unvaccinated, while vaccinated people tend to have milder cases or be asymptomatic.
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Vaccines are expected to provide some protection against new variants
Another study led by Public Health England found that two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine were 88% effective against symptomatic disease from the B.1.617.2 Covid variant, a subtype of a variant that emerged in India. The vaccine was 93% effective two weeks after the second dose against the B.1.1.7 variant first discovered in the UK.
A separate NIH study found that two doses of Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine provided long-lasting protection against the Indian 'Delta' variant. 96% of patients had antibodies that protected against Delta six months after their second shots. The patients were also well-protected against other variants of concern, including the UK 'Alpha' variant and the Brazil 'Gamma' variant.
While it is possible for fully vaccinated individuals to transmit the Delta variant, real-world data suggests that vaccinated people are unlikely to develop severe cases of Covid. The vast majority of Covid patients in American hospitals are unvaccinated, while vaccinated individuals tend to have milder cases or be entirely asymptomatic.
Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences have found that vaccinated individuals still mount a significantly more robust immune response to evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants than those who have never been vaccinated. This suggests that vaccination remains the best defence against Covid-19, even as the virus continues to mutate. Vaccinated individuals still have a much higher level of protection overall, and scientists will continue to study how future vaccines can be designed to work even better.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Pfizer vaccine is effective against the India variant, although it is slightly less effective than against the original strain. Two doses of the Pfizer vaccine are 88% effective against symptomatic disease from the B.1.617.2 Covid variant, a subtype of the variant that emerged in India.
Yes, the AstraZeneca vaccine also provides protection against the India variant, although it is less effective than the Pfizer vaccine.
While vaccination is the best defence against Covid-19 and its variants, vaccinated individuals should continue to wear masks and follow government guidelines, especially when in crowded places or interacting with unvaccinated individuals.
