Delta variant prevalence similar in vaccinated and unvaccinated groups: ICMR study

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A new study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on people infected with COVID-19 has found that the Delta variant of coronavirus can infect the vaccinated population. The study noted that the prevalence of B.1.617.2 (Delta variant) "was not different between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups."

"B.1.617.2, or the Delta variant of covid causing Sars Cov2 was the dominant circulating strain and one of the primary drivers for the country's covid second wave," the study, approved by the ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, said, as quoted by PTI.

Those involved in the study include researchers from the National Institute of Epidemiology.

The study was conducted on COVID-infected persons, both vaccinated and unvaccinated ones, in the Greater Chennai Corporation's triage centers between May 3 and 7.

The study findings indicate that the prevalence of B.1.617.2 was not different between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups.

"Studies have documented reduction in neutralization titres among Covishield and Covaxin recipients after infection with Delta variant. This might be the reason for the breakthrough infections observed in the fully vaccinated individuals," the study said.

The study, however, noted that the proportion of patients progressing to severe illness and mortality was lower in the vaccinated groups.

While B.1.617.2 has the potential to infect both the vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, however, the progression of illness seems to be prevented by vaccination, the study said.

"Therefore, non-pharmaceutical interventions must continue to slow down the transmission. Additionally, the pace and scale of vaccination has to be increased to mitigate the further waves of the pandemic," it added.