Current vaccines provide a high degree of protection against the different variants of the coronavirus. Still, the number of infections among fully vaccinated people is rising. By now, 9 percent of those who test positive for COVID-19 have been fully vaccinated. With a view to the more contagious delta variant, the RIVM therefore calls on vaccinated people to keep their distance and to be tested in case of complaints.
More infections due to delta variant
The (Indian) delta variant is 51 percent more contagious than the (British) alpha variant, which is 40 percent more contagious than the original virus. It has been found that the more contagious delta variant also causes more infections among fully vaccinated people. Of the people who have been infected since July 1, 77 percent have not been vaccinated, 14 percent partially and 9 percent completely.
Difference per type of vaccination
It differs per type of vaccination when and to what extent you are protected. In the case of AstraZeneca and Moderna, you are protected from 14 days after the 2nd vaccination. After 1 injection with Janssen it takes 14 days until you are protected. With BioNtech/Pfizer you are protected from 7 days after the 2nd vaccination. In addition, you are sufficiently protected with any vaccine after 2 weeks if you: before that vaccination had corona. However, even if you are fully vaccinated, there is a chance that you will still be infected with the coronavirus. However, the chance of the disease becoming serious is very small with all vaccines.
Slightly less effective against delta variant
The fact that the number of infections among fully vaccinated people is rising can partly be explained by the fact that the vaccines appear to work slightly less well against the more contagious delta variant. In this variant, approximately 1,000 times as many virus particles are produced and the immune system cannot defend itself against it fast enough. In the case of Pfizer, the protection is 93 percent in the alpha variant and 88 percent in the delta variant. AstraZeneca offers 66 to 60 percent protection. For Moderna and Janssen, the effect against the delta variant is still under investigation. However, consideration is being given to giving people a second vaccination with 1 shot of Janssen to be more effective.
Observe measures
Apart from the slightly less effective effect of the vaccines, fully vaccinated people appear to adhere less well to the basic measures against the virus in practice. Keeping your distance is especially important. RIVM emphasizes that it is important that fully vaccinated people also keep a distance of 1.5 meters. They should also be tested in case of complaints and preferably also after returning from vacation. After infection, the chance of hospitalization is indeed very small, but not nil. This also applies to the transmission of the virus. The chance is smaller, but it cannot be ruled out that not fully vaccinated people will become infected. Even if the vaccinated person himself has no or hardly any complaints. Doctor-microbiologist Heiman Wertheim of the Nijmegen hospital Radboud UMC says to RTL News that it is therefore important to raise awareness about this among vaccinated persons.
Also testing fully vaccinated people?
The Outbreak Management Team has asked the cabinet to consider asking fully vaccinated people to have a negative corona test in certain situations. For example in the case of an event or on an airplane. It may happen that fully vaccinated people attend an activity where a distance of 1.5 meters is not kept, while they may have corona among their members without their knowledge. This way they will still be able to spread the virus. That is why, according to the OMT, in some cases it is advisable to request a negative test from all those present.
(Source: RIVM, central government, RTL Nieuws, Parool, corona dashboard)
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