Breakthrough Covid danger may be a lot decrease with Moderna vaccine than Pfizer

On this illustration from 19.

Given Ruvic | Reuters

The risk of developing a breakthrough COVID-19 infection with the Delta variant after being fully vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine may be much lower than that, according to a new study from the Mayo Clinic awaiting a full review Risk to those who received the Pfizer vaccine.

The study found that in July in Florida, where COVID cases have hit an all-time high and the Delta variant is widespread, the risk of a breakthrough in Moderna recipients was 60% lower compared to Pfizer recipients.

Similarly, last month in Minnesota, the authors found that the Moderna vaccine (also known as mRNA-1273) was 76% effective in preventing infection, but the Pfizer vaccine (known as BNT162b2) was 42% effective.

“Comparing infection rates between matched individuals fully vaccinated with mRNA-1273 with BNT162b2 at Mayo Clinic Health System sites in several states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, Florida, and Iowa) found one with mRNA-1273 Twice the risk reduction compared to a breakthrough infection compared to BNT162b2 “, write the authors in their abstract.

The authors found that both vaccines “strongly protect” against serious illnesses; the difference seems to be more whether people become infected at all. The CDC has said that the risk of infection in the unvaccinated is 8 times higher than that of the vaccinated and the risk of hospitalization or death is 25 times higher.

The so-called pre-print study, which was neither peer-reviewed nor published in a scientific journal, was first published on Sunday but received more attention on Wednesday when Axios reported that the Biden administration was using the data as a “wake-up call.” . “

Pfizer told Axios that it and its partner BioNTech “can develop and produce a bespoke vaccine against this variant in about 100 days of a decision, subject to regulatory approval.”

The company confirmed the effectiveness of its vaccines in a subsequent statement, saying it was also determined to develop boosters.

“Pfizer and BioNTech have put in place a robust refresher research program to ensure that our vaccine continues to offer the highest level of protection possible. Initial data from a third dose of the current vaccine shows that a booster dose at least 6 months after the second dose elicits high neutralization titers against the wild-type, beta and delta variants, “Pfizer said in a statement.

Just last week, Moderna warned that breakthrough infections were on the rise, saying those who received his vaccine would likely need a booster shot before winter. And at the end of last month, Pfizer also said that a booster that is already being tested would be effective against the Delta variant.

Data from New Jersey, where Delta now accounts for 90% of all positive COVID samples tested, underscores the key points: Breakthrough infections still make up a very small percentage of new COVID hospital admissions, but that percentage has been increasing significantly in weeks recently.

Fully vaccinated New Jerseyans accounted for 18.5% of all new COVID cases in the July 20-26, said Governor Phil Murphy. More importantly, these cases accounted for 3% of all new hospital admissions.

Murphy cited the data Monday as evidence that vaccines are working, but the fact that as many as 3% of hospitalized COVID patients have been vaccinated is a concern – and with it the direction in which the breakthrough cases are headed to develop.

The proportion of 3% of vaccinated people who were hospitalized with the virus in the period from July 20 to July 26 has increased significantly compared to the proportion of 0.004% in the period up to July 26.

Pfizer accounts for 30% of the more than 10.6 million vaccine doses given in New Jersey to date, while Moderna accounts for about 21%, state data shows.