ROMA. “A single dose of the vaccine does not adequately cover” the Delta variant.
This was stated by the president of the Higher Health Council and coordinator of the Scientific Technical Committee Franco Locatelli (in the photo with Minister Roberto Speranza) to SkyTg24, reiterating the need to “complete the vaccination cycle”.
The variant, he added, “raises concerns because it is more contagious and can cause significant diseases in unvaccinated subjects or in those who have only one dose of the vaccine. For this reason it is important to progress with the vaccination” campaign.
In the event of the identification of Delta variant clusters, added Locatelli, it is not excluded that red areas may be restored.
“We have to work more intensively on tracing and sequencing, because only in this way can we intercept signals of diffusion of the Indian variant” he explained, underlining that Italy is sequencing “in the European average”.
But, he added, if sequencing is increased, “then there are decisions that must be followed to try to contain everything, otherwise sequencing becomes a useless exercise”. So do red areas have to be done? “If necessary – he replied – zones must be created to stop the clusters, as happened in Umbria, for example, when the Brazilian variant spread”.
Meanwhile, reports on the national territory of cases associated with Kappa and Delta variants are increasing, in particular of outbreaks due to the Delta variant.
In Italy the Delta variant has a percentage of 16.8%, while the most widespread still remains the alpha variant at 74.92%.
However, although the June data are not yet consolidated, from the first reports of sequencing, there is an increase, in percentage, of the cases of the Kappa and Delta variant, the so-called “Indian” and one of its subtypes, which go from 4.2 % in May, 16.8% in June (data extracted as of 21st of the month).
It can be read in today’s circular from the Ministry of Health with the updating of the classification of the new Sars-CoV-2 variants which recommends strengthening tracing.
The Delta variant is 40-60 percent more transmissible than Alpha (Β.1.1.7) and may be associated with a higher risk of hospitalizations.
The Circular recommends “to continue to monitor with great attention the circulation of variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, to promptly and scrupulously apply both the planned transmission containment measures and the isolation and quarantine measures in the event of a suspected Delta VOC or confirmed “.
The document also explains: “There is evidence that those who have received only the first dose of a vaccination that involves the administration of two doses to complete the vaccination course, are less protected against infection with the Delta variant. compared to infection with other variants, regardless of the type of vaccine administered. The completion of the vaccination course provides protection against the Delta variant almost equivalent to that observed against the Alpha variant. “