COVID vaccines that are said to be effective against the Delta variant
On Tuesday, the Centre declared the Delta Plus variant as a 'variant of concern' (VoC), stating three key characteristics i.e. increased transmissibility, stronger binding to receptors of lung cells, and potential reduction in monoclonal antibody response. Given that the new variant has been detected in many states in the country, the government has already urged the states to take up necessary measures, ensuring "widespread testing, prompt tracing as well as vaccine coverage on priority basis."
The importance of COVID vaccines amidst the emergence of variants
What we witnessed in the second wave of coronavirus is nothing that can be described in words. However, it is in our hands to safeguard the health of ourselves, our loved ones and the most vulnerable in society.
As of now, vaccines are our only hope and our only weapon against the SARs-COV-2 virus and its variants. One of the most deadly and infectious variants of COVID-19, the Delta variant, which drove India's second wave of COVID-19, is known to be wreaking havoc in and around the world. That said, the Delta variant is said to have mutated into yet another strain known as the Delta Plus variant, detected in parts of Maharashtra, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh.
Given the current situation, it becomes all the more important for people to participate in the vaccination drives and try and acquire at least a certain level of protection against the virus.
How effective are the vaccines against the new COVID variants?
When the vaccines were clinically tried and studied, they were developed in respect to the original COVID strain i.e the Alpha variant.
The Delta variant and the emerging new variants, therefore, have the ability to surpass antibodies released by the vaccines, as per experts. Scientists have also raised concerns that state that the newer variants contain properties that helps them escape immune defences and assists them in dodging vaccine driven protection as well.
However, in the recent past, studies have claimed that certain COVID vaccines can prove effective against the new variants including the Delta variant. Here is a list of COVID vaccines that are effective.
Both Covaxin and Covishield are said to be effective against Delta variant
Recently, the Indian health ministry stated that Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Serum Institute of India's Covishield are effective against the Delta variant. According to Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan, "Both the vaccines being administered in India, Covishield and Covaxin, (Sputnik joined later) 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 can protect individuals from all COVID variants known
Sputnik V, the Russia-made vaccine, which was approved in India alongside Covaxin and Covishield, has also been said to be effective against all variants of Covid known today.
As per Gamaleya Centre head Alexander Gintsburg, "Antibodies developed after vaccination with Sputnik V protect from all variants of COVID known today, starting from the UK variant to the so-called Delta variant, first detected in India."
Pfizer can reduce hospitalisation risk caused due to the Delta variant
Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, which is in talks with the Indian government over supplies of its COVID-19 vaccine, which is also said to be effective against the COVID variants.
In a study conducted by Oxford University researchers, published in the journal Cell evaluated the ability of antibodies in the blood from fully vaccinated people, in an attempt to neutralize the highly contagious Delta and Kappa variants.
"There is no evidence of widespread escape suggesting that the current generation of vaccines will provide protection against the B.1.617 lineage," according to the study.
However, the concentration of neutralising antibodies in the blood was lowered, which may lead to some breakthrough infections, they cautioned.
As per a recent analysis by the Public Health England (PHE), it was found that vaccines made by Pfizer Inc and AstraZeneca offer high protection of more than 90% against hospitalization from the Delta variant.