The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is highly effective against the feared Delta variant of COVID-19, Pfizer claimed on Thursday.
“The data we have today, accumulating from research we are conducting at the lab and including data from those places where the India-originating variant Delta has replaced the British variant as the common variant, point to our vaccine being very effective, around 90%, in preventing the coronavirus disease,” one of Pfizer’s medical directors Alon Rappaport told Israeli broadcaster Army Radio.
Delta variant, first detected in India and considered to have wreaked havoc in the second wave of COVID pandemic, is a major threat not only in the country but several countries in the world including Europe.
Delta variant has now mutated into Delta Plus, as reported in some Indian states countries like the UK and the US.
Vaccine makers are therefore having a relook at their data on effectiveness of vaccines.
The Indian government is believed to be in advanced talks with Pfizer, with the company’s CEO Dr Albert Bourla saying recently that an agreement is in the process of being finalized.
“My hope is that very soon we will finalize approval of the product in India by the Indian healthcare authorities and agreement with the government so that we can also start sending vaccines from our side,” Bourla said.
Russia-made Sputnik V, which is now available in India, has also claimed that its vaccine is effective against the Delta variant.
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