Delta variable: doctors explain that unvaccinated and vaccinated people are "not in the same playing field" of risks

Delta variable: doctors explain that unvaccinated and vaccinated people are "not in the same playing field" of risks

Amid concerns about the emergence and avoidance of new variants of COVID-19 vaccines, health experts repeatedly point out that a complete vaccination is very different from no vaccination.

According to an analysis of 38 states and the metropolitan area by the New York Times, unvaccinated Americans in those states were five times more likely than Americans who were vaccinated to be hospitalized with COVID-19 and eight times more likely to die.

"The delta variant is very dangerous for the unvaccinated and presents a problem for vaccination that the previous variant did not do, but they are not in the same ballpark. When we see the implications of most super injury, it is a small part of the problem that we saw without vaccination."

"I am not convinced that promoting everyone is what is necessary."

The CDC recently announced that the booster shots are now available to immunocompromised Americans, including those with some underlying conditions or who are taking specific immunosuppressants.

"I think since we don't have a real emergency on our hands in terms of incredible hospitalization, meaning we don't have hospitals that are overflowing, it would be very wise to study what we should do, rather than guess at what we should do," Faust said.

"I think delta is an uncomfortable variant because it makes it so much worse for unprotected people who haven't been vaccinated, and it also causes more penetrations than any other species in the past," Faust said. "And a small subset of these people are very ill. 

Last month, Israel began distributing a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine to those 60 and older. It was found to provide 5-6 times greater protection against severe illness and hospitalization after ten days.

However, Faust said, "I don't think we would expect this boost to make everyone impervious to infection suddenly. Again, it feels like a bandage now. If you're a tiny country with limited hospital capacity, this might be helpful, but no." You can only do that more often concerning younger people. We need to know the added benefit of a booster because the vaccine does provide excellent protection against severe disease and worse."

Three COVID-19 vaccines currently available at US company Pfizer (PFE) are 95% effective in preventing severe illness and death; However, the Delta variant reduces these numbers, the Moderna vaccine (mRNA) is 94.1% effective while other products Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) is 86% effective.

"Until everyone is vaccinated, we need to try to limit the spread of the disease," Faust said. "I think there was so much conversation about the reinforcement that we forgot.