Thread by @_johnbye

Handy thread on vaccine protection against variants.

First dose seems to be significantly less effective against the B.1.617.2 (Indian) variant.

Second dose still provides excellent protection against both the B.1.1.7 (Kent) and B.1.617.2 variants though.

https://twitter.com/jburnmurdoch/status/1396015144233222144

Looking at how effective vaccines are at stopping you from catching covid and developing symptoms -

1st dose:
51% protection against B.1.1.7
33% protection against B.1.617.2

2nd dose:
87% protection against B.1.1.7
81% protection against B.1.617.2

https://twitter.com/jburnmurdoch/status/1396015154467418112?s=19

But it's worth remembering that the vaccines also make you less likely to die or become severely ill if you *do* catch covid.

While we don't have data yet on how this translates to B.1.617.2, there's no evidence it's more deadly than other strains.

https://twitter.com/jburnmurdoch/status/1396015152642891777?s=19

So you'd hope that, barring any nasty surprises, two doses of either Pfizer or Astra-Zeneca should still give you about 90% protection against dying from covid.

As most elderly and vulnerable people have had two doses now, hopefully deaths will be much lower than previous waves.

It also reinforces the need to get your second jab when it's offered.

Until then you're far more likely to catch and pass on the virus, especially with the B.1.617.2 variant.

The good news is second jabs for over 50s are already being brought forward.

news.sky.com/story/covid-19…