Scientists from France and Guiana warn about 60% infectivity of the gamma variant of coronavirus for vaccinated.
The results of the research of scientists are published on the official website of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, RIA Novosti reports.
In May this year, a surge in coronavirus infection was recorded at a gold mine in Guiana. Of the 44 employees (mean age 53) surveyed by the specialists, 25 received both doses of Pfizer-BioNTech. 15 people out of these 25 became infected, that is, 60%. However, none of them needed hospitalization: 87% of those infected complained of minor symptoms associated with the disease – 22.6% had shortness of breath, 65% had fever.
The gamma mutation (Brazilian strain) is now prevalent in French Guiana. In July, it caused the third wave of the epidemic and re-mobilized the national health system. Researchers say:
“The low efficacy of the vaccine came as a surprise because Pfizer-BioNTech neutralized beta and gamma strains with equal success in in vitro tests.”
WHO has listed 4 strains of SARS-CoV-2 as “of concern”: alpha (British), beta (South African), gamma (Brazilian) and delta (Indian). The latter is still mutating and spreading rapidly. Its most aggressive variety, delta-plus, is being studied separately.
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