PHE noted its observation in an Aug. 6 technical briefing, basing it on National Health Service Test and Trace data since June 14. It found that average and median cycle threshold (CT) values were almost the same for both vaccinated an unvaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated people registered a median CT value of 17.8, while people inoculated with two COVID-19 vaccine doses registered a value of 18.0.
CT values refer to the number of cycles needed to boost the viral signal in a sample used in a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test.
The briefing said: "This means that while vaccination may reduce an individual's overall risk of being infected, once they are infected – there is limited difference in viral load (and CT values) between those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated." It added that given the similar CT values between unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals, "this suggests limited difference in infectiousness."
Furthermore, the Aug. 6 PHE report pointed out that "the average CT values for delta cases … have decreased" – which meant average viral loads became higher. This is a known pattern in an increasing epidemic, PHE said. It was previously seen when the original SARS-CoV-2 strain was no longer prevalent.
PHE's findings aligned with a study by researchers from the state of Wisconsin. The preprint of the study posted July 31 in medRxiv said that there was "no difference in viral loads" between unvaccinated individuals and people who experience breakthrough COVID-19 infections.
The Wisconsin researchers pointed out that individuals with vaccine breakthrough infections "frequently test positive with viral loads consistent with the ability to shed infectious viruses." They warned: "If vaccinated individuals become infected with the delta variant, they may be sources of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to others."
Vaccines are contributing to the spread of SARS-CoV-2 variants
Aside from the B16172 delta variant, PHE also raised the alarm bells on the lambda variant. Some news sources used the lambda variant to refer to two different variants – the C37 variant first found in Peru and the recent B1621 strain first reported in Colombia. (Related: THE SCAMDEMIC NEVER ENDS: Fauci says another variant of COVID "worse that Delta" has surfaced with endless lockdowns and restrictions sure to follow.)
PHE said in an Aug. 6 risk assessment paper that "based on preliminary laboratory evidence," vaccination and immunity from previous COVID-19 infection may be less effective against the Colombian B1621 strain. However, the agency noted that "there is no evidence" of the Colombian strain outcompeting the delta variant and the possibility of it being more transmissible "appears unlikely."
The paper claimed that the B1621 strain may evade both and vaccine-induced immunity and natural immunity from previous COVID-19 infections based on evidence. "Laboratory findings for [B1621] are so far similar to the [South African] beta [variant], which raises the possibility that it may manifest similar immune escape properties," the paper said.
Meanwhile, a preprint of a study posted July 28 in bioRxiv said the Peruvian C37 strain exhibited higher infectivity and immune resistance. The researchers from multiple Japanese universities said two mutations in the strain's spike protein – the T76I and L452Q mutations – were responsible for its increased infectivity.
The scientists noted: "Acquiring at least two virological features – increased viral infectivity and evasion from antiviral immunity – is pivotal to the [virus's] efficient spread and transmission in the human population."
Many scientists claimed that instead of protecting populations from SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 vaccines have been responsible for spreading different variants of the pathogen. Cardiologist Dr. Peter McCullough was among these experts critical of mass vaccination.
During a July 22 interview with Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN) President Del Bigtree, he mentioned the role of the Sinovac Biotech vaccine in the appearance of new COVID-19 variants. The vaccine made by the Chinese company was used in a number of countries.
"In the case of India, it was the use of the Sinovac vaccine that really prompted the emergence of the delta variant. Now we're seeing Sinovac again being the stimulus for the emergence of the [C37] lambda variant out of Peru. So mass vaccination, as opposed to targeted vaccination, is in a sense creating the problem of this immune escape of the virus," McCullough said. (Related: CDC flip-flops AGAIN, now admits "fully vaccinated" people are spreading COVID-19.)
Vaccines.news has more articles about COVID-19 breakthrough infections despite mass vaccination efforts.
Sources include:
Assets.Publishing.Service.gov.uk 1 [PDF]
Assets.Publishing.Service.gov.uk 2 [PDF]
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