Delta Variant Infects Both Vaccinated, Unvaccinated: ICMR Study In Chennai

The study found that the prevalence of the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) was not different between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.

Delta variant can infect both vaccinated, unvaccinated

Chennai: The Delta Variant of the Covid-19 virus can infect both vaccinated and unvaccinated people but the mortality rate among the former group is less, revealed a study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in Chennai. 

According to a Hindustan Times report, the study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology in Chennai and published in the Journal of Infection on August 17.

An ICMR study conducted in Chennai has found that the Delta variant has the potential to infect both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, but it reduces mortality among the former group pic.twitter.com/nskpcyNfje

— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2021

The study found that the prevalence of the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) was not different between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups and the high transmissible Delta variant, the dominant strain circulating in the world, is one of the main reasons for the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India, the report said. 

Quoting several other studies that have recorded a reduction in neutralisation titres among the recipients of Covaxin and Covishield after getting infected with the Delta variant, the study said that this might be the reason for the breakthrough infections witnessed in fully vaccinated people, according to the report. 

Quoting a scientist at the National Institute of Epidemiology, Jeromie Thangaraj who was also involved in the study, the report said that they neither included re-infections nor classified whether the vaccinated people who were infected with the virus, had taken Covaxin or Covishield.

According to a report in the Hindustan Times, he said that the mortality rate and severe illness among the vaccinated group is proportionately low among the vaccinated group.