Apr 28, 2021 12:10:23 PM The Ministry of Health does not have clear-cut data to show how effective the AstraZeneca vaccine is, against the new B1617 variant of coronavirus. The B1617 was first detected in India, this has been confirmed by the Microbiological Diagnostic Unit at the Peter Doherty Institute in Melbourne. Permanent Secretary for Health James Fong said this newly-confirmed coronavirus variant is one of several dangerous new variants that have taken root in places also like Brazil. Dr. Fong said people should not take this variant of the virus lightly as it killed over 2770 people on Tuesday alone in India. He said while they have no clear data, it is still important for people to get their vaccination as it protects them from hospitalisation, severe disease, and death.