Sir Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, has issued a stern warning regarding the eradication of the Delta variant. On Tuesday, the expert told MPs that the strain could still infect vaccinated individuals.
Sir Andrew said: “We know very clearly with the coronavirus that this current variant, the Delta variant, will still infect people who have been vaccinated and that means anyone who is still not vaccinated, at some point, will encounter the virus. .
“I think we are in a situation here with this current variant where collective immunity is not a possibility because it always infects vaccinated individuals.”
He also warned that there may soon be “an even better variant to pass on in vaccinated populations.”
He explained: “We are in a situation with this current variant where collective immunity is not a possibility because it always infects vaccinated individuals.
“I suspect that what the virus will throw up next is a variant that may be even better at transmitting in vaccinated populations.
“This is therefore an even more reason not to set up a vaccination program around collective immunity.”
Sir Andrew’s remarks come after the World Health Organization called for immediate action to prevent the spread of the Delta variant.
The strain first appeared in India and has now spread to 132 countries.
At a recent press conference, WHO Emergency Director Michael Ryan said: “Delta is a warning.
“It’s a warning that the virus is evolving, but it’s also a call to action that we must act now before more dangerous variants emerge.”
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the risks of strain mutations.
He said at a press conference: “The WHO has warned that the Covid-19 virus has changed since it was first reported, and it continues to change.
“So far, four worrying variants have emerged, and there will be more as the virus continues to spread.”
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This notice was published: 2021-08-11 05:09:10