Episode Details

Episode 65: Delta Variant.    

Harendra and Dr Arreaza present current evidence regarding the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), effectiveness of vaccines, and more.  

Introduction: Booster shots for the COVID-19 vaccine.  
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced in a statement dated August 18, 2021, that “a booster shot will be needed to maximize vaccine-induced protection and prolong its durability.”

This fall people may start getting their booster shots of mRNA vaccines (i.e. Pfizer and Moderna) as long as 8 months have passed since their second dose of the vaccine. The estimated date to start giving booster shots is the week of September 20, 2021.

It is anticipated that patients who received the J&J vaccine will also need a booster shot, but more data is needed to make it official. So, stay tuned for updates.

This is Rio Bravo qWeek, your weekly dose of knowledge brought to you by the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program from Bakersfield, California. Our program is affiliated with UCLA, and it’s sponsored by Clinica Sierra Vista, Let Us Be Your Healthcare Home.

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Delta Variant – The Science 

By Harendra Ipalawatte, MS4, and Hector Arreaza, MD.

A growing concern and much of the recent talk about COVID 19 has been revolving around the emerging delta variant as well as other noted virus around the world different from the alpha strain. Much like the influenza virus and swine flu, SARS-CoV-2 seems to be changing and adapting in its current form.

On July 27, 2021, the CDC recommended to urgently increase COVID-19 vaccination and reinforced the need to wear a mask in public indoor places in areas of high risk for transmission, even for fully vaccinated people. 

Concerns about Delta

CDC issued this new guidance due to several concerning developments and newly emerging data signals.

There is a reversal in the downward trajectory of cases. CDC has seen a rapid and alarming rise in the COVID case and hospitalization rates around the country. In late June 2021, the 7-day moving average of reported cases was around 12,000. In contrast, on July 27, the 7-day moving average of cases reached over 60,000. This case rate looked more like the rate of cases we had seen before the vaccine was widely available.

New data shows the delta variant is more infectious even in vaccinated individuals. Data was taken from CDC and unpublished surveillance data that will be posted soon. Delta causes more infections and spreads faster than early forms of SARS-CoV-2. Delta has shown to be more than 2x as contagious as previous variants.

The delta variant might cause more severe illness than previous strains in unvaccinated persons. In two different studies from Canada and Scotland, patients infected with the delta variant were more likely to be hospitalized than patients infected with alpha or the original virus strains.

Delta is currently the predominant strain of the virus in the United States. 

Unvaccinated people are considered the greatest concern 

Breakthrough infections (i.e., infections in patients who are fully vaccinated) happen less often than infections in unvaccinated people, all symptomatic patients infected with the delta variant can transmit it to others. 

CDC is studying the data on whether fully vaccinated people with asymptomatic breakthrough infections can transmit the infection. However, the greatest risk of transmission is among unvaccinated people who are much more likely to contract and transmit the virus.

Fully vaccinated people with delta breakthrough infections can spread the virus to others. However, vaccinated people appear to be infect