Delta COVID-19 Variant: Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine Effectiveness Compared

Strategic Insights -

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"