US vaccines effective against Covid variant found in India: Top Officials
PTI, May 19, 2021, 9:51 AM IST
Washington: COVID-19 vaccines that are available in the United States are effective against the deadly variant that was first detected in India, top US health officials said on Tuesday.
The B.1.617 virus variant, first identified in India last year, has been classified as a ”variant of concern” by the World Health Organisation.
“The modest neutralisation resistance to the 617 antibodies suggests that the current vaccines that we are all using that we’ve been speaking about would be at least partially and probably quite protective,” Dr Anthony Fauci, Director of US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the chief medical advisor to the President told reporters during a news conference in Washington.
Making a presentation of his data and latest research on this issue, Dr Fauci said that both the variants B.1.617 and B.1.618, that have been identified in India, have been neutralized with only a 2.5 fold diminution in titer. “That’s well within the cushion effect of the capability to protect against infection and certainly against serious disease”.
“So, in summary, this is just another example of the scientific data accruing, literally over the last few days, indicating another very strong reason why we should be getting vaccinated,” Dr Fauci said.
Andy Slavitt, White House COVID-19 Senior Advisor said the vaccines that are available in the US are effective against the variant found in India.
“And it is all the more reason why it’s important for all of us, who have the opportunity to get vaccinated, to do so because we’ve seen the devastation that these variants can cause in other countries. And we should not feel that this can’t happen here,” Slavitt said in response to a question.
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
Trump pits Americans against one another, US deserves better: Kamala Harris
Will end economic disaster of Kamala Harris, launch brand new Trump economic miracle: Donald Trump
‘Kamala, you are fired’, thunders Trump as race for White House remained razor-tight
‘Kamala, you are fired’: Donald Trump at Wisconsin rally
At least 64 people die in devastating flash floods in eastern Spain, officials say
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
CM Siddaramaiah promises efforts to include Kannada label on products made in Karnataka
“Chinnara Banna-2024” held successfully in Bantwal
Kharge getting personal on PM’s political observations on Karnataka surprising: BJP MP
India trashes Canada’s allegations against Amit Shah as ‘absurd and baseless’
K’taka CM Siddaramaiah orders withdrawal of notices to farmers over Waqf land disputes
Thanks for visiting Udayavani
You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.