Can Sinovac, AstraZeneca Vaccines Really Ward Off the Delta Variant?

Sinovac warned that its vaccine cannot provide 100 percent protection against the new variant of the COVID-19 virus, as quoted by the Global Times on Tuesday (6/22). However, it can reduce the severity of symptoms and effectively prevent death. Sinovac's statement was a response to reports mentioning that 308 medical workers in Indonesia still contracted COVID-19 even though they had been vaccinated with the Sinovac vaccine, and dozens of them were hospitalized.

Wei Sheng, the professor at the School of Public Health of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Sciences and Technology, revealed that, according to the latest trial results, the Sinovac vaccine was effective against the Delta variant. Based on the epidemic prevention and control in Guangzhou, it managed to reduce the severity of the disease significantly for those who have been vaccinated.

AstraZeneca also revealed that, based on a recent Oxford University study, its vaccine is effective against the Delta variant, first identified in India. The study focused on the ability of monoclonal antibodies in the blood of people recovering from COVID-19 and of people who have been vaccinated against the variant. "We are encouraged to see the non-clinical published from Oxford and these data, alongside the recent early real-world analysis from Public Health England, provide us with positive indication," AstraZeneca stated.