WHO evaluates the effectiveness of vaccines against the “Indian” strain of COVID

The “Indian” strain of coronavirus has already been recorded in 92 countries around the world, WHO warns.The two main factors of its spread are greater contagiousness and the rejection of part of the restrictions.

The Delta (Indian) coronavirus strain has already reached 92 countries, WHO expert Maria van Kerkhove said at a briefing. Vaccines remain an effective method of counteracting this strain, but only if the vaccination course is completed.

According to Kerkhove, the "Indian" strain is "of particular concern because it is more contagious and spreads rapidly around the world." "Preliminary studies also suggest that infection with this variant increases the risk of hospitalization," she added. However, there is no evidence that the new strain is more lethal.

“We know that in one study, there was a recent suggestion of an increased risk of hospitalization, but this is preliminary work that is being done in one country and requires further study to better understand the consequences and severity,” the expert said.

Existing vaccines against COVID-19 are still effective and can protect against illness caused by a new variant of the coronavirus, although not all of them deal with it equally, the expert noted. “Some vaccines are less effective against the Delta variant, but in any case they help prevent severe disease and mortality,” Kerkhove said.

Virologists evaluate reports of dangerous symptoms of the Indian strain The Society

A variant of the coronavirus, dubbed "delta", was discovered in India in October last year. Since that time, it has spread throughout the world, it is often detected in Russia. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said on June 18 that almost 90% of COVID-19 cases in Moscow had an Indian strain. On June 16, the GISAID platform reported that the proportion of infections with this mutation in Russia exceeded 70%.

Director of the Center Gamaleya, where the Sputnik V vaccine was developed, Alexander Gintsburg, said that the “Indian strain” of the coronavirus is more aggressive - it shortens the period of transition to a severe form of the disease and the time for the appearance of antibodies. At the same time, he noted that the Sputnik V vaccine created by the Gamaleya Center also protects against him.

Changes in the number of new cases of Covid-19 infection in Russia June 21 Created with Highcharts 8.2.2 Moscow Russia Russia excluding Moscow apr.
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