COVID-19 Delta Variant

HDIAC received a technical inquiry on the transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant and the efficacy of vaccines against those variants. Initial research has shown that the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant (B.1.617.2 lineage) is 43%-60% more transmissible than the previous variants. Studies show that the vaccines still provide protection against the delta variant. However, the efficacy is not as strong. For example, one of the vaccine efficacy rates reduces from 93.4% (alpha variant) to 87.9% for the delta variant. HDIAC analysts synthesized and summarized all additional latest findings delivered to the inquirer.