How Well Does Your Vaccine Fight The Delta Variant?

The Delta variant of the Coronavirus is on the rise, worldwide. With it, infection and death tolls are rising. Some of those who’ve passed in the last several months have been vaccinated. The fear of infection and death, even if you’ve had COVID-19, the vaccination, or both, is real.

How realistic is it, though, to trust the vaccination? How likely are you to contract the virus despite full vaccination? How safe are you really?

There are no 100% solid answers to any of these questions – the coronavirus continues to reign the world with mystery. There are, however, some statistics and information that help you have a better understanding and hopefully reduce fears.

1. The Delta variant has been identified in all 50 states, though some states have higher infection rates than others.
2. The Delta variant is now responsible for more than 82% of the new cases of COVID-19 infections in the United States.
3. The Delta variant is responsible for approximately 99% of the new cases in the UK.
4. The average daily cases in the USA is rising with more than 67,000 infections reported daily.
5. Approximately 70% of adults in the USA have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
6. The Delta variant is estimated at 60% more transmissible than other variants.
7. The surges are higher in areas with lower vaccination rates.

All three vaccines – Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson – have been proven to be effective in varying degrees against the original variant which caused the COVID-19 outbreak. With the Delta variant, new research is being conducted still to determine the efficacy.

Many studies have been done and are continuing to be performed on this pertinent question.

One study shows the vaccine to be 85% effective against severe disease and stopping the virus from infecting healthy cells.

A limited second study shows the vaccine is effective in neutralizing the Delta variant within 29 days of the first show, with protection improved over time.

A limited third study shows that the J&J shot is 67% effective against the Delta variant.

One study on the Pfizer vaccine shows 88% efficacy of the vaccine against the Delta variant as a symptomatic disease and 96% efficacy in preventing hospitalization for the disease.

A second study shows that a single shot of the vaccine is “barely effective” while both doses provide a level of 95% efficacy estimation.

A third study shows that the full dose of Pfizer is as effective against the Delta variant as the previous variants, with 87% efficacy 14 days after the second dose.

Additional studies showed similar results.

One lab study shows the vaccine is capable of providing protection against the Delta variant and other variants. Interestingly, it also shows that the vaccine is more capable of producing antibodies against Delta than the other variants. No clear level of efficacy was mentioned.

A second study shows the Moderna vaccine is 94 to 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 infection of the Delta variant.

The overall effectiveness of the vaccine is estimated at 72% effective from one dose, with much higher effectiveness (approximately 95%) after 14 days past the second dose has been received.

Overall, data suggests that efficacy against the Delta variant stands at:

• 67% efficacy for J&J
• 72-95% efficacy for Moderna
• 64-96% efficacy for Pfizer

So, after clearing the vaccine’s second dose by 14 days for Moderna and Pfizer and one month for J&J, you have fairly effective protection against the Delta variant.

Experts advise full vaccination for this reason and likely will suggest booster shots in the months the come, which are in process of development even now.