Third Booster: A Protection Against The Delta Variant?

The Delta variant is responsible for the surge in cases in many countries as it quickly became the dominant variant in many countries, one being the United States. The variant is more transmissible than the Alpha variant. The vaccines were originally created to prevent from the Alpha variant, which they successfully do, at least for the most part. The issues with the vaccine arise with the Delta variant because the vaccine is not completely resistant to the vaccine. It is proven that the vaccine will help you in your battle against COVID. Statistically, your chances of being hospitalized or dying with the vaccine are much lower than unvaccinated people. It is proven to decrease the severity of the case, so even still, getting the vaccine is worth it.

The question arises, if we get a third booster shot, would we be more protected against other variants such as the Delta variant? Medical News Today states, "Additionally, recent data have also suggested the immunity provided by COVID-19 vaccines fades considerably over time, which also means vaccinated individuals become more susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2." So regardless, it sounds like some sort of booster is coming, now the question is if it will combat the Delta variant. MNT explains, "According to Pfizer’s 2021 second-quarter earnings report, receiving an additional booster dose of their COVID-19 vaccine after having had the initial two doses increases the amount of Delta variant antibodies fivefold in 18-to-55-year-olds and 11-fold in 65–85-year-olds." The data is not officially published and is still under trial, but this seems to be very promising news in the fight against COVID.

Some countries, like Australia, are starting to see stricter restrictions be put back and place or even be put on lockdown. In the United States, we are seeing mask mandates be reinforced in some states, and slowly are getting restrictions put back in. We all need to do our part to stop this.