Delta COVID-19 Variant: Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine Effectiveness Compared
In a recent study published in The Lancet, researchers have found that two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine offer 79% protection against the Delta COVID-19 coronavirus variant, while the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine provides 60% effectiveness. The study, conducted on 5.4 million people in Scotland, highlights the importance of getting both doses of a vaccine to ensure optimal protection against the Delta variant.
Key Takeaways:
- The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was found to be 79% effective against the Delta COVID-19 coronavirus variant, while the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was 60% effective.
- The Delta variant could become the dominant coronavirus strain in the U.S. by fall, raising the prospect of new outbreaks among unvaccinated people.
- The Delta variant could double the hospitalization risk compared to the U.K. variant, which has been renamed Alpha.
- The study found that two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine do protect against the Delta variant, but not as much as it protects against the Alpha variant.
- Health officials emphasized the need to not only get vaccinated but to ensure one gets both doses of the vaccine.
- The study underscores the importance of timely vaccination to prevent the spread of the Delta variant.
Statistics:
- 79% effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against the Delta COVID-19 coronavirus variant.
- 60% effectiveness of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine against the Delta COVID-19 coronavirus variant.
- 5.4 million people were part of the study in Scotland.
- The Delta variant could double the hospitalization risk compared to the U.K. variant (Alpha).
- The study highlighted the need for two doses of the vaccine for optimal protection.
Sources:
- The Lancet study not dated
- CNN: "Delta COVID-19 variant could become the dominant strain in the US by fall, CDC warns"
- World Health Organization (WHO): "Classification of Variants of Concern and Variants under Monitoring"
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): "COVID-19 Variants"