US-approved vaccines efficient towards B1617 variant of COVID-19: Official

COVID-19 vaccines accredited by the United States like Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson have effectiveness towards the B1617 variant of the virus that’s predominant in India, which is experiencing one of many worst outbreaks of the pandemic, a prime American well being official stated.
The statement relies on the most recent information concerning the variant and the three main vaccines accredited by the United States, stated Dr Francis Collins, Director of National Institute of Science.
“The data is coming in, and it looks very encouraging that the U.S.-approved vaccines, the Pfizer, the Moderna, the J&J, do have effectiveness against this variant called B1617,” Collins informed the media.
“It’s a little less effective in that case than some of the others, but it looks like it ought to be good enough to make Americans protected. And that’s really a good thing to hear,” he stated in response to a query.
Early this week, the World Health Organization categorized the B1617 SARS-CoV-2 variant, which was first detected in India, as a variant of concern. The WHO stated that proof confirmed B1617 was extra transmissible.