These Vaccines Are Effective Against Covid-19 Delta Strain

On Tuesday, the Indian Central Government went ahead and declared Delta Plus variant B.1.617.2.1 -- closely related to the Delta variant that resulted in the catastrophe of the second wave -- as a VoC or variant of concern based on three characteristics, an increase in transmission rate, stronger binding capabilities with receptors of lung cells as well as a reduction in monoclonal antibody response.

Reuters

Also Read: Measles Vaccine 87.5% Effective For COVID-19 In Kids, Finds Indian Study

This new variant has already been spotted in several states of the nation including Maharashtra, Kerala and other states. The government has been urging citizens to get vaccinated as soon as they can to stay safe from the new variant.

However, with the emergence of this variant, people getting vaccinated and people who have already gotten vaccinated surely have concerns surrounding which vaccine would be the most effective against the Delta variant.

Covishield / Oxford AstraZeneca Vaccine

A recent study conducted by Oxford University researchers (highlighted in a Reuters report) looked at the ability of antibodies in the blood of individuals who were vaccinated with two-shots of the vaccine to neutralise the highly contagious Delta and Kappa variants of the novel coronavirus.

For the AstraZeneca vaccine, the researchers found that the current generation of vaccines would be capable of providing protection against the new strains of the novel coronavirus.

Reuters

Also Read: Under 18 Vaccine: Covaxin Gets Approval For Children's Vaccine Trial In India

The researchers however highlighted that the concentration of neutralising antibodies was somewhat reduced and could cause breakthrough infections in some. Another analysis made by Public Health England (PHE) showed AstraZeneca¡¯s vaccine was over 90 percent effective against hospitalisation from the Delta Variant.

Covaxin vaccine against Delta variant

In a recent press conference (as per a TOI report) the Indian Health Ministry stated that Bharat Biotech¡¯s Covaxin is effective against the Delta Variant.

Reuters

Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary said in a statement, ¡°Both the vaccines being administered in India, Covishield and Covaxin, are effective against Delta. But to what extent and what is the proportion of antibody titers produced by these vaccines will be shared soon.¡±

Sputnik V vaccine against Delta variant

Russian vaccine, Sputnik V is also claimed to be effective against the Delta variant. This was revealed in a statement by the Gamaleya Institute¡¯s head, Alexander Gintsburg via a post on Twitter, ¡°Antibodies developed after vaccination with #SputnikV protect from all variants of COVID known today, starting from the UK variant to the so-called Delta variant, first detected in India.¡±

"Antibodies developed after vaccination with #SputnikV protect from all variants of COVID known today, starting from the UK variant to the so-called Delta variant, first detected in India" - Head of the Gamaleya Center academician Alexander Gintsburg. pic.twitter.com/upaornSbEG

¡ª Sputnik V (@sputnikvaccine) June 22, 2021

This was based on a study conducted by the Russian Direct Investment Fund, which was cited on June 15, claiming it was ¡®more efficient¡¯ than any other vaccine that has published results on the strain so far.

Also Read: US To Start 12 To 15-Year-Old Kids Covid Vaccination This Week, What About India?

Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine against Delta variant

One vaccine many are waiting for in India is the Pfizer vaccine, due to its clearance of administration for teenagers and kids. Last week¡¯s analysis by the Public Health England (highlighted by Reuters) revealed that Pfizer vaccine too offers a high protection of over 90 percent against hospitalisation from the Delta variant.

Reuters

Alon Rappaport, Pfizer's medical director in Israel, told local broadcaster Army Radio said in a statement, "The data we have today, accumulating from research we are conducting at the lab and including data from those places where the Indian variant, Delta, has replaced the British variant as the common variant, point to our vaccine being very effective, around 90%, in preventing the coronavirus disease, COVID-19."