Massachusetts biotech company, Moderna, have announced that their SARS-CoV-2 vaccine produces antibodies against the delta variant.
In their press statement, they said:
“Vaccination with Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine produces neutralising titers (a laboratory test that determines the amount of antibodies in a blood sample) against all tested variants, including additional versions of the beta and delta variants, as well as the new strains discovered in Nigeria, Uganda and Angola.”
However, analysis of the vaccines effectiveness is based on samples from eight fully vaccinated (two doses) participants in the same week, and shows a ‘minimal impact against the alpha variant, and a modest reduction against the delta virus. And as such, Moderna are developing a strategy to combat ’emerging variants.’
Speaking to news outlet Lusa, Microbiologist João Paulo Gomes, of the National Institute of Health Doctor Ricardo Jorge revealed that from reports released from the United Kingdom, the prevalence of the delta variant is at 90%, and that according to the British Health Authorities, the delta variant is 60% more transmissible than the alpha variant, increases the chance of hospitalisaton, but stresses that the vaccination results “are promising and encouraging, as less people are developing serious complications.”
Furthermore, he said, “92% of people who have had two doses of AstraZeneca vaccine hadn’t needed hospitalisation, and 96% for those who were fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine. Which he said was ‘great!”
So the watchword is ‘vaccination.’
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
