The Pfizer / BioNTech and AstraZeneca / Oxford vaccines are nearly effective against the Indian variant of the novel coronavirus compared to the English, according to a study by the British Public Health Agency (PHE), released on Saturday (22).

According to the PHE survey, conducted between April 5 and May 16, the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine was 88% effective against the symptomatic form of the Indian variant two weeks after the second dose and 93% with respect to the English.

In the same period, the AstraZeneca vaccine showed 60% efficacy against the Indians and 66% against the English, as was determined in Kent.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock described the results as “innovative”. The government is betting on the vaccination campaign to protect itself from the outbreak of the Indian variable that threatens its deflationary plan.

To contain the spread of the B.1.617.2 variable, which could become prevalent, according to the health authorities, the interval between doses was reduced from three months to eight weeks, for those over the age of 50 and the most vulnerable. Testing has also been intensified in the affected areas, particularly in the northwest of England and parts of London.

The two vaccines were 33% effective against the symptomatic form of the Indian variant three weeks after the first dose and about 50% against the English variant, according to PHE.

The agency stated that 2,889 cases of the Indian type were reported in England between February 1 and May 18, of which six were fatal.