The UK has reopened its economy and locals are flocking outdoors to meet their loved ones. However, a variant 'of concern' of coronavirus still poses a threat for the country.
UK’s health secretary, Matt Hancock claims there is a possibility that up to three quarters of the new coronavirus infections are linked to the B.1.617.2 variant, which was first detected by health experts of India.
By Ralph Ellis
May 25, 2021 A study found that two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech or the Astra/Zeneca vaccine protect against the COVID-19 variant first detected in India as well as the variant first found in the United Kingdom.
The study emphasized the need for two doses, saying one dose of the vaccines provided much less protection.
The Public Health England study looked at health data from 1,054 people of different ages and ethnicities in April and May.
The study said the Pfizer vaccine was 88% effective against the B.1.617.2 variant, first found in India, 2 weeks after the second dose. The Pfizer vaccine was 93% effective against the variant found in the U.K., known as B.1.1.7, two weeks after the second dose.