Delta Variant Is Spreading Fast And Only One Vaccine Will Fight It Off

Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine should continue shielding against recently discovered viral variants, including the Delta variant which was first reported in India.

Dr. Anthony Fauci said recent data showed the variant now accounts for about 20% of U.S. coronavirus cases, with the rate steadily growing.

Recent lab studies using blood samples from eight trial participants who previously received both doses showed “minimal impact” on neutralizing the Alpha variant first detected in the U.K. and a “modest reduction” by 2.1-fold against the Delta variant, which has been detected in over 85 countries all over the world.

According to the CEO of Moderna, Stephane Bancel, “As we seek to defeat the pandemic, it is imperative that we are proactive as the virus evolves. We remain committed to studying emerging variants, generating data and sharing it as it becomes available. These new data are encouraging and reinforce our belief that the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine should remain protective against newly detected variants. These findings highlight the importance of continuing to vaccinate populations with an effective primary series vaccine.”

This news follows an emergency approval for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine granted in India this week giving the country four options to fight against the virus and paving the way for Indian drug company Cipla to begin distributing shots.

Cipla reiterated its current development of booster shots, however, a panel of experts from the CDC says there is not yet enough data to support a recommendation for use of these shots.

The active spread of the Delta variant has caused some U.S. leaders to begin encouraging mask use again, regardless of vaccination status. Los Angeles health officials strongly urge everyone wear masks even while indoors after the Delta variant rose to account for almost 50% of the county’s sequenced variants. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker is encouraging all residents to no go out without their masks regardless of their vaccination status.