Vaccines used in SL still effective against Delta variant - epidemiologist

• The Delta variant is more virulent than others. with a few cases detected in Sri Lanka.
• Research work is in progress to ascertain the level of efficacy of each vaccine against different variants 

By Kelum Bandara

All Covid-19 vaccines currently being used in Sri Lanka, possess efficacy against Delta variant, a top epidemiologist said.  

The epidemiologist who insisted on anonymity since he is not authorised to talk to the press said research work is in progress to ascertain the level of efficacy of each vaccine against different variants. Sri Lanka has granted regulatory clearance for emergency use of Sinopharm, Pfizer ,Sputnik V and AstraZeneca .   

“All of them are proven effective in general against the Delta variant,” he said.  The Delta variant which is commonly called Indian variant is more virulent than others. It is the globally dominant variant at the moment with a few cases detected in Sri Lanka.   

The epidemiologist said nobody could rule out the emergence of another variant which could be even more fatal and transmissible .   

Earlier,the World Health Organisation (WHO) said that the vaccines were still effective against the Delta variant preventing severe symptoms and deaths. However,the WHO said there were reduced signs of efficacy.