May 18, 2021

expert comment about the current situation and the B.1.617.2 ‘Indian’ variant

A comment from Dr Mike Tildesley on the current situation surrounding the increase in the B.1.617.2 variant in the UK.

Dr Mike Tildesley, Associate Professor, University of Warwick, said:

“As we progress to step three of the government roadmap, we have seen the emergence of a new, more transmissible variant that has taken hold in several areas of the UK.  Whilst the vaccination campaign has been progressing extremely successfully since January, it is important to remember that the vaccines are not 100% protective and the presence of a more transmissible variant exposes people to increased risk, even if they have been vaccinated.  Therefore it is vital that as many people as possible, regardless of age or health status, take up the vaccine when offered.  Young and healthy people, whilst not highly at risk of developing severe disease, are still able to transmit the virus and by getting vaccinated, they reduce the risk not just to themselves, but to the elderly and the vulnerable, even if they have previously taken the vaccine.

“The relaxations on 17th May are extremely important for people’s mental health and well being after a lengthy period with severe restrictions in place, but the emergence of the new Indian variant serves as a reminder that we need to continue to ease carefully out of lockdown and continue with the vaccination campaign in order to minimise the risk of a resurgence occurring over the coming weeks.”

Previously issued comments on this topic:

15/05/2021 Friday’s SAGE papers on the B.1.617.2 variant and other VOCs: https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-latest-batch-of-sage-papers-released-on-the-b-1-617-2-variant-and-other-vocs/

14/05/2021 Downing Street Press Conference on the B.1.617.2 variant: https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-latest-downing-street-press-conference-on-the-b-1-617-2-variant-indian-variant/

All our previous output on this subject can be seen at this weblink:

www.sciencemediacentre.org/tag/covid-19

Declared interests

None received.