Two Doses Of COVID Vaccine ‘Highly Effective’ In Reducing Hospitalisation From The Delta Variant: UK Analysis

London: New analysis by Britain’s health experts concludes for the first time this week that two doses of COVID-19 vaccines are “highly effective” against hospitalisation from the Delta variant – the B1.617.2 extremely transmissible variant first identified in India. Public Health England (PHE), which has been conducting regular analysis of COVID-19 variants of concern (VOC), said on Monday (June 14) that the latest analysis shows that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is 96 per cent effective against hospitalisation after two doses and the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is 92 per cent effective against hospitalisation after two doses.

Also Read: Delta Plus, New COVID Variant Identified, Experts Say No Cause Of Concern For Now

These figures are comparable with vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation from the Alpha variant, which was first identified in the Kent region of England and was previously the dominant VOC in the UK.

This evidence of the effectiveness of two doses against variants shows just how crucial it is to get your second jab, said UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

“Our UK vaccination programme continues at pace and has already saved thousands of lives. It is our way out of this pandemic,” he said, urging eligible age groups of over-25s to book their free jabs.

The latest PHE analysis included 14,019 cases of the Delta variant, 166 of whom were hospitalised between 12 April and June 4, looking at emergency hospital admissions in England. PHE has previously published evidence showing that one dose is 17 per cent less effective at preventing symptomatic illness from the Delta variant, compared to Alpha, but that there is only a small difference after two doses.

These hugely important findings confirm that the vaccines offer significant protection against hospitalisation from the Delta variant, said Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at PHE.

“It is absolutely vital to get both doses as soon as they are offered to you, to gain maximum protection against all existing and emerging variants,” she said.

Also Read: If You Extend Intervals Between The Vaccine Doses, You May Become Vulnerable To Variants: Dr Anthony Fauci To NDTV

UK Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi added: “It is extremely encouraging to see today’s research showing that vaccines are continuing to help break the link between hospitalisation and the Delta variant after one dose, and particularly the high effectiveness of two doses. If you’re getting the call to bring forward your second dose appointment – do not delay – get the second jab so you can benefit from the fullest possible protection.”

On Monday (June 14), Prime Minister Boris Johnson had announced that the vaccination programme would be further accelerated, with over-40s added to the list of over-50s being encouraged to get their second doses after an eight week gap, as opposed to the original guideline of 12 weeks. It is part of efforts to best use the extra four-week lockdown extension he announced, from June 21 to July 19, until all legal restrictions around social distancing are lifted by the UK government. PHE said that further work remains underway to establish the level of protection against mortality from the Delta variant. However, as with other variants, this is expected to be high, it said.

Also Read: Delta Variant 60 Per Cent More Transmissible, Reduces Vaccine Effect: UK Experts

Separate analysis indicates that the COVID-19 vaccination programme has so far prevented 14,000 deaths and around 42,000 hospitalisations in older people in England, up to the end of last month. Meanwhile, people are being alerted that headaches, runny nose and cold seem to be more common symptoms associated with the Delta variant, based on an ongoing COVID symptoms study where the public are invited to log their symptoms. The data, collected as part of the app-based Zoe COVID symptom study, suggests that the Delta variant often feels like a ‘bad cold’.

Also Read: Unplanned Vaccination Can Promote Mutant Strains Of Coronavirus: Health Experts In Report To PM

(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.