Are Covid-19 Vaccines Effective Against Delta Variants?

Are Covid-19 Vaccines Effective Against Delta Variants?

How Effective Are Covid-19 Vaccines Against Delta Variants?

Coronavirus is taking new shapes and is coming up with different variants and one amongst the variants is the latest Delta variant which is posing new challenges to the medical world and already present vaccines for covid-19. So, now the lingering question is how effective are covid-19 vaccines against delta variants? Let us now see in detail if the vaccines are effective or not.


What Is The Delta Variant?

The Delta variant is even called B.1.617.2 and is capable of spreading more rapidly and easily. The strain mutates on the spike protein, and this makes it easier for the variant to affect human cells.

Besides the Delta variant, there is also a Delta Plus variant called B.1.617.2.1 or AY.1. It is accounted as a “subvariant” of the latest coronavirus version. It has a transformation that lets the virus better attack lung cells and easily escape vaccines.

This variant was first discovered in India and at present is also found in the UK, US, and other 12 nations.


Symptoms Of The New Delta Variant

The symptoms and signs are identical to those observed with the initial coronavirus strain and some other variants. Unending cough, fever, headache, and sore throat as seen in the first variant are also common with this variant. However, in the UK symptoms are somewhat different such as less presence of cough and smell loss.


Is The New Delta Variant More Dangerous?

To be precise, yes, given the fact that it can easily escape the accepted vaccines present today. The virus is more contagious and can easily spread to others.

A few researchers found that the Delta variant is nearly 50% more infectious than the Alpha variant, which was identified first in the U.K. Surprisingly Alpha variant, even called B.1.1.7 was about 50% more infectious in comparison to the first virus that was ingested in China. All these only say that the delta variant is more dangerous and can easily infect others.

On average, a person infected with this virus can easily spread to 3 to 4 persons while the first could only spread to 1 or 2 at the most. Apart from not subduing to the vaccine, it is also not responsive to the treatments.


How Effective Are Covid-19 Vaccines Against Delta Variants?

At this time, it is really difficult to say as still studies are going on. Different types of vaccines have different kinds of efficacy on this variant. A few were found effective even with the first dose of vaccination while few had efficacy after the second shot of the vaccine.

However, to conclude since the variant is new, researchers are yet to find out how effective the approved vaccines can be on this variant. But as a caution and to fortify immunity and save oneself from this variant medical researchers and doctors have advised taking the available vaccines unless otherwise said by a doctor.

In a nutshell, although it is unclear if these vaccines can completely protect one from getting not affected or if they can act effectively if affected with the variant it is better to get vaccinated.

Since now you know the answer to can covid vaccine work against delta variants, it is better not to take a chance and stay safe as it is still unclear if the vaccines can really protect you.


What Does The Delta Variant Mean For The Vaccinated And Unvaccinated?

Well, although not sure, it is to be taken as an unwritten rule that vaccination is better than not being vaccinated.


Key Takeaways

  • It is more contagious than its predecessors.
  • It has different types of symptoms in different locations.
  • Vaccination may be effective but not in totality.
  • Following the same safety precautions as done for the primary covid virus is suggested.

On the whole, as studies are still in the primary stages of how effective are covid-19 vaccines against delta variants, it is safe to be cautious and follow social distancing and wearing masks.

Author:

Sudheendra Reddy

Sudheendra is a passionate blogger for 8 years and holds a Degree in Journalism & Mass Communications. His writings particularly focus on health, medicine, diet & lifestyle. For him, everything that interlinks and relates to health & medical world entices him. His write-ups aim at educating people not by just giving facts but by infusing human touch.