Fauci: US Covid vaccines could protect against Indian variant

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Dr. Anthony Fauci said that initial research showed that vaccines authorized in the U.S. are “at least partially and probably quite protective” against the Covid-19 Indian variant.
• Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are effective at fighting the B.1.617 variant, the strain that is currently devastating India.
• Fauci said it is a “very strong reason why we should be getting vaccinated.”

Top infectious diseases expert Dr. Anthony Fauci said that the Covid-19 vaccines approved in the U.S. for emergency use are effective at fighting the strain that is wreaking havoc in India.

Health experts believe the cause of the massive spike in infections, hospitalizations and deaths in India is the B.1.617 variant.

Recently, the World Health Organization labeled it as a “variant of concern” after it has been tied to increased cases throughout parts of Europe. The reclassification is an indication that the B.1.617 variant has the “highest public health implications.”

During Tuesday’s White House briefing, Dr. Fauci said initial research showed the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are “at least partially and probably quite protective” against severe illness, hospitalization and death, “indicating another very strong reason why we should be getting vaccinated.”

Coronavirus statistics in the U.S. are positively going in the right direction as more Americans get vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday reported 17,724 new coronavirus cases — the lowest daily case numbers since June 2020.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky reported 60 percent of people age 18 and older have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. Also, over 4.1 million teens between the ages 12 and 17 have received their first dose since the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was given authorization last week.

“Cases have continued to decrease, and have not been this low since spring of last year. Hospital admissions are down, deaths are down, and we are vaccinating between 1.5 million and 2 million people per day,” Walensky said.

“The past week has been a big week, with progress and milestones that set us on a path out of this pandemic. We should all have cautious optimism,” Walensky added.

Source: The Hill