"Anticipatory News Report": Scientists Affirm Vaccine Efficacy Against All Variations of COVID-19
Vaccines Still Provide High Protection Against Severe Covid-19, Even Against the Contagious Delta Variant
While the Delta variant is more contagious and raises concerns for those who have only received one dose of the two-dose vaccine, vaccination still offers a significantly high level of protection (over 90%) against severe Covid-19 and death.
Based on a study conducted by Public Health England, data reveals that during the period of April 12 to June 4, the Delta variant was detected in over 14,000 individuals, both vaccinated and unvaccinated. However, medical care was required for only 166 infected individuals, with the vast majority of these cases occurring among the unvaccinated.
In light of the mentioned study, one dose of the Pfizer vaccine reduces the risk of hospitalization with severe Covid-19 by 94%, and the first dose of the Oxford vaccine from AstraZeneca by 71%. Following the second dose, the effectiveness of these vaccines wasfound to be 96% and 92%, respectively.
The study, co-authored by leading scientists from Oxford University, Imperial College London, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, is still in the preliminary stage and awaiting peer-review. Despite this, experts confirm that the data represents some of the most reliable evidence of the effectiveness of the aforementioned vaccines.
Is herd immunity close?
Despite the high number of confirmed Delta variant infections, only 166 infected individuals required hospitalization, emphasizing the effectiveness of vaccines in real-world pandemic scenarios. Dr. English, who previously oversaw the editorial board of the journal Vaccines in Practice, explains this outcome as a result of vaccines generally offering better protection against severe infection. Even during virus mutations, vaccines continue to show high effectiveness, with those who have received both doses of either Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine having over 90% protection against severe Covid-19.
The Russian Sputnik V vaccine, developed using similar technology as AstraZeneca, is expected to offer comparable protection. Additionally, a large-scale study conducted by scientists from Tel Aviv University and published last week found that a 20% increase in the number of vaccinated people significantly reduces virus spread, with half as many positive PCR tests observed.
Read also:
- Vaccination: A Guide to the Best Time Gaps and Mixing Different Vaccines
- Understanding the Delta Variant: Symptoms, Differences, and Precautions
- England's Lockdown Delayed as COVID-19 Patients in ICU Increase
- Despite concerns surrounding the Delta variant and its contagiousness, vaccination, particularly the first dose of the Pfizer and the Oxford (AstraZeneca) vaccine, provides a high level of protection (over 90%) against severe Covid-19 and hospitalization.
- Following the second dose, the effectiveness of these vaccines increases significantly, with Pfizer offering 96% protection and AstraZeneca offering 92% protection against severe Covid-19.
- As more people get vaccinated, science shows that it can help to reduce the spread of the virus, with a 20% increase in vaccinated individuals resulting in half as many positive PCR tests.
- In addition to Pfizer and AstraZeneca, the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, developed using similar technology as AstraZeneca, is expected to offer comparable protection against severe Covid-19.
