Justin Bullock, FISM News
A new study from Israel’s health ministry indicates that the Pfizer vaccine is less effective against the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus. The Delta variant first emerged in India and is quickly becoming the dominant strain of COVID-19 around the world. The results of Israel’s study is that the Pfizer vaccine specifically is only 64% effective at preventing the contraction of the virus, while it is 93% effective at preventing severe cases that would require hospitalization.
Pfizer’s competitors were quick to point out that their versions of the vaccine are still just as effective against the Delta variant but there have not been any major studies to confirm or deny these claims. It is suspected that the Moderna vaccine may also face similar challenges with respect to the Delta variant as it uses essentially the same biotechnology as the Pfizer vaccine. In the US, Pfizer and Moderna respectively account for the largest numbers of vaccines received by Americans thus far.
In response to the results of this study as well as the emergency of COVID-19 variants like Delta, many doctors are looking into developing a booster shot that would “top off” people who have been vaccinated, but still risk contracting one of the new variants. These booster shots would also serve as a way to ensure continuous inoculation against COVID-19 as the anti-bodies imparted by the vaccine are estimated to wear off after eight months. All in all, while the public is more than ready for the end to the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors are asking everyone to remain vigilant and also become accustomed to the idea that COVID-19 may be around permanently in a similar way as the common flu.