Biotech Updates

Vaccines Cut Delta Transmission But Not for Long

October 6, 2021

A study conducted by the University of Oxford scientists confirms that COVID vaccines can decrease the risk of passing on the Delta variant to their unvaccinated close contacts. However, this protection dwindles alarmingly at three months after the second shot was administered.

The study further examines the effect of vaccines on the transmission of Alpha and Delta variants. The researchers found that although the vaccines offer some protection against infection and transmission, the Delta variant can decrease that protection. A fully vaccinated person who contracted a Delta infection was twice as likely to transmit the virus as someone who was infected with Alpha. This is on top of the higher risk of having a breakthrough infection from the Delta variant than one caused by Alpha.

The results possibly explain why there is an ongoing fast transmission of the Delta variant despite massive vaccination programs.

Read more from Nature.


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