Indian variant - good news!

[strangeshapedpotato]

www.bbc.com/news/uk-57214596

It's a little mixed, because the protection after a single vaccine dose is quite a bit lower, but after two doses, it's similar to the protection against the Kent variant.

So it's going to boost R a bit, but not massively - may mean delaying June 21st a couple of weeks to get more through their second jab, but herd immunity is still likely to be a possibility later in the year.

Why no mention of moderna?

@MiddleParking

How is the data significantly worse? Looks fine to me. Definitely not worth delaying Step 4 for.

The recent increase in infection counts is not "fine", but if it is NOT down to the Indian variant being more transmittable as early ONS data has suggested, then it may be manageable, and fall as the vaccination program proceeds.

But if it is at least partly down to the Indian variant being more transmittable, then as this variant spreads, R will increase and we are into exponential growth territory - once that happens, then things get out of control very quickly and not only will June 21st be off the cards, but restrictions may need to come back in.

@Crackbadger

Why no mention of moderna?

They won't have enough data yet in the UK, we've only been using Moderna since mid April so no one has had a 2nd dose of it yet and most barely past the three week mark since 1st dose.

The data from the US is good though, I expect it will be very similar to Pfizer as they are similar vaccines and have been performing the same (or Moderna slightly better) so far with other variants.

I agree with others this isnt good news - if you and everyone you know including CEV had AZ.

But also it shows gov already knew this a few weeks ago and rather than no reaction - they were concerned enough to more second doses forward.

Also im concerned that people having had AZ will think if they have symptoms - well if i had pfizer i wouldnt have symptoms at all and may not isolate.

I already think people arent testing

@HSHorror

I agree with others this isnt good news - if you and everyone you know including CEV had AZ.

But also it shows gov already knew this a few weeks ago and rather than no reaction - they were concerned enough to more second doses forward.

Also im concerned that people having had AZ will think if they have symptoms - well if i had pfizer i wouldnt have symptoms at all and may not isolate.

I already think people arent testing

Also im concerned that people having had AZ will think if they have symptoms - well if i had pfizer i wouldnt have symptoms at all and may not isolate.

Huh??

‘They’re clearly not intending to delay June 21st and nor should they.’

I agree. Variants here, variants there, variants everywhere with a global pop. of 8 billion to get through & vaccinate, so it’s an absolute given there will be more of them.

Lockdowns for over a year meanwhile costing ca. £1 billion per day.

As long as they keep just enough of a lid on hospital admissions to stop NHS implosion & media outrage, Gov will be more than happy.

Also im concerned that people having had AZ will think if they have symptoms - well if i had pfizer i wouldnt have symptoms at all and may not isolate.

I’d be pretty concerned if any adult was going about thinking having a Pfizer vaccine would mean they would never again experience coronavirus symptoms (what most of us know as symptoms of a cold)!

@nordica

The 33% figure is strange, seems like too much of a coincidence that two completely different types of vaccines would offer exactly the same level of protection at the same point in time (3 weeks after 1st dose). 🤔

Vaccines are fairly simple in how they are made and work and it's actually quite likely they will be similar after 1st dose. Just because you may have expected a different number doesn't mean there'd be any reason for it

I appreciate this but we haven't the results on the efficicacy on serious illness from this varient which is key

@Halloweenrainbow

"Some people are just desperate for reasons to stay locked up"

Quite the opposite! Most people hoping vaccines work well so we won't need to.

Exactly my point i categorically do not want other lockdowns. The vaccines got everybody extremely optimistic and they have been fantastic but this isn't the news every one wanted

@Onthedowns

I appreciate this but we haven't the results on the efficicacy on serious illness from this varient which is key

Yes and very likely to be higher than these percentages we have at the moment

I wonder what this data will do for the balance between AstraZ and Pfizer/other vaccines being used by the NHS in the next few months. Looks like there would be a need to prioritise the vaccines that provide more protections against variants like these.

Sometimes it is useful to read reports from overseas, for example Germany has again banned travel from UK due to the Indian variant.

The differences between the vaccines are important, but of course all the vaccines are far better than none.

@nordica thanks.