COVID-19 Vaccines Effective Against Delta Variant Of Novel Coronavirus: US Study

Washington: COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing hospitalisations and emergency department visits caused by the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to a US study. The research that used national data also indicates that Moderna’s vaccine is significantly more effective against Delta variant than Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson preventives. “These real-world data show that vaccines remain highly effective at reducing COVID-19 related hospitalisations and emergency department visits, even in the presence of the new COVID-19 variant,” said study author Shaun Grannis, vice president for data and analytics at Regenstrief Institute in the US.

Also Read: Pfizer Jab Side Effects In 12–15-Year-Olds At High Risk Of COVID-19 Complications, Mild To Moderate: Study

We strongly recommend vaccinations for all who are eligible to reduce serious illness and ease the burden on our healthcare system, Mr Grannis said in a statement.

The authors noted that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s VISION Network has analysed more than 32,000 medical encounters from nine states during June, July and August 2021, when the Delta variant became the predominant strain. The results showed that unvaccinated individuals with COVID-19 are 5-7 times more likely to need emergency department care or hospitalisation, similar to the overall effectiveness prior to the variant, they said.

Also Read: Study Shows Downside Of Not Receiving Second Shot Of COVID-19 Vaccine

The study in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, a weekly epidemiological digest for the US published by CDC, is also the first analysis from the VISION Network to show a marked difference between the effectiveness of the mRNA vaccines. In the study’s time period, Moderna was 95 per cent effective at preventing hospitalisations among adults aged 18 and older, the authors said. The Pfizer vaccine was 80 per cent effective while the Johnson & Johnson preventive was 60 per cent effective at preventing hospitalisations among adults ages 18 and older, they said.

Also Read: COVID-19 Vaccines Effective At Reducing Severe Illness, Hospitalisation: Lancet Study

The study also found that vaccine effectiveness is lower for people 75 years and older, which has not been shown in previous research. The researchers explained that this could be due to a range of factors, including the increased time since vaccination. When it came to preventing emergency department and urgent care visits, analysis showed that Moderna was 92 per cent effective, Pfizer was 77 per cent effective, while Johnson & Johnson was 65 per cent effective.

Despite the differences in effectiveness, vaccines continue to offer much more protection than not getting one at all, said Mr Grannis, who is also a professor at Indiana University School of Medicine, US.

“While breakthrough cases do happen, data shows the symptoms are less severe”, he said.

The authors of the study noted that a vast majority of COVID hospitalisations and deaths continue to be among unvaccinated individuals. They added that COVID-19 vaccines are powerful tools for combating the pandemic.

Also Read: COVID-19 Vaccines Highly Effective In Preventing Hospitalisation And Emergency Visits: US Study

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.