By Christine Fabro
Studies show that Pfizer and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines are two of the most effective vaccines against the B.1.617 strains or the Indian variant after the second dose.
Based on a study by the Public Health England (PHE) between April 5 and May 16, Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was found to be 88% effective against symptomatic disease from the double mutant variant two weeks after the second dose.
Meanwhile, two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine were 60% effective against the Indian variant.
The study also found that both vaccines were 33% effective against symptomatic disease from B.1.617, three weeks after the first dose.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said that this new evidence proves the value of COVID-19 vaccination program in protecting people.
PHE’s Head of Immunisation Dr. Mary Ramsay also expects vaccines to be even more effective at preventing death and hospitalization among individuals. –rir
