In England, the delta variant has quickly become the most common form of Sars-CoV-2. It has spread faster than all previous virus forms: over the past week, numbers in England and Scotland continued to rise, and there is much concern about renewed, exponential growth. In particular, the protection provided by vaccination now plays a major role: although the results of the “siren study” – which screened about 45,000 people every two weeks with PCR tests – are favourable, the Francis Crick Institute in London Studies conducted by Biontech / Pfizer Vaccine Comirnaty indicate weak effectiveness against the variant.
Researchers examined serum samples from 250 people who had received one or both doses of the vaccine. The laboratory tested whether the virus could be stopped from infecting cells. RESULTS: Even test individuals with double and thus full vaccination achieved only 5.8-fold lower antibody titers against the delta variant compared to the wild type. There were also weaker titers than the beta and gamma variants.
According to the team, the results may explain why the delta variant has continued to spread in recent weeks despite increasing vaccination rates. As antibody titers decrease with vaccination time and age, researchers also point to the need for further promotion to maintain vaccination protection.
According to previous knowledge, people who develop the delta variant are often affected by serious courses. According to the government agency Public Health England (PHE), the risk of hospitalization increases. It is still unclear whether the variant can evade natural immunity. However, it is clear that the delta version has the advantage of considerable growth and will likely capture the predominance.
About two weeks ago, a PHE study provided different data than current laboratory tests: the vaccine from Pfizer/Biotech accordingly protects against disease caused by B.1.617.2. With 88 percent effectiveness two weeks after the second dose, compared to 93 percent for the British version. In AstraZeneca, the effectiveness against disease caused by B.1.617.2 is 60 percent, compared to 66 percent for B.1.1.7. According to the information, three weeks after the first vaccination, both vaccines had a 33 percent effect with B.1.617.2, compared to about 50 percent for the British version at the time.
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