The existing COVID-19 vaccines remain ‘extremely protective’ even in the face of the Delta variant.
The highly infectious Delta variant has now become the most dominant strain of the coronavirus across the globe. With that at hand, concerns toward the COVID-19 vaccines have grown further today.
This comes as breakthrough infections among even those fully vaccinated continue to increase these past few weeks. The situation has since led some individuals to wonder whether vaccine makers will update the existing jabs for the infamous Delta strain.
Bloomberg covered the matter and sought a credible response from an expert. Speaking to a molecular virologist, Ramon Lorenzo Redondo explained why it may not be the “best strategy” amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Should manufacturers update the COVID-19 vaccines?
The expert said that many companies are now studying the updated versions of the COVID-19 vaccines, based on assertions. Despite this, though, he claimed that these “might not be required yet.”
Redondo explained that it would be “inefficient” and likely unattainable because of all the logistic and testing requirements for each vaccine iteration. He provided the assertions after citing that the world would enter in a “never-ending process” if the vaccine makers were to update the jabs every time the virus makes a major shift.
Unless there is enough and clear proof that the jabs no longer work, it might not be the “best strategy” to do. Updates will only become a necessary step if there is a “significant loss of vaccine efficacy,” he added.
The jabs remain effective, protective
Ramon Lorenzo Redondo, then, talked about the existing COVID-19 vaccines, including their effectiveness. He noted that the existing jabs are “still effective” at preventing death and hospitalizations. While the virus has “slightly changed its structure,” it has yet to become enough “to trick the vaccine-elicited immune response.”
This is despite the increasing breakthrough infections due to the Delta variant. The same publication, later on, also stated that there are several variables likely contributing to these cases.
The need for vaccine boosters today
For boosters, however, the expert asserted that some studies have indicated their benefits. He said that data shows a third dose further increases the antibody levels against the coronavirus. This would then make the breakthrough infections “less likely.”
While it, indeed, offers some upside amid the pandemic, many experts and officials do not recommend boosters shots for now. This comes as many low-income countries have yet to provide at least a dose of vaccine to their respective populations.
The World Health Organization, alongside its key experts, has repeatedly emphasized that there is no need for COVID-19 booster vaccines yet. The agency’s head even called for a pause on the distribution of the third dose in some wealthy nations until at least the end of September.
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