While vaccinations reduce the overall risk of catching the delta variant, research published Friday by Public Health England (PHE) found early evidence that people fully vaccinated against Covid-19 may be able to transmit the hyper infectious variant just as easily as those who aren’t.
With their findings outlined in a new technical briefing, PHE scientists said initial analysis of available data indicates that the levels of virus in people infected with the delta variant after being vaccinated “may be similar” to the levels found in unvaccinated people.
PHE called the research just “early exploratory analysis” and wrote that “further targeted studies” are needed to determine the extent to which vaccinated people can spread the delta variant to others.
Separately, the public health agency said another variant on the rise in the U.K., a strain known as B.1.621 that was discovered in Colombia, has shown signs of evading the immune response triggered by Covid-19 vaccines or previous infection.
PHE said “there is preliminary laboratory evidence” suggesting that “vaccination and previous infection may be less effective at preventing infection” with this strain, though there is “no evidence” it is more transmissible than the delta variant, which now accounts for roughly 99% of the U.K.’s new cases.
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