Coronavirus: Singapore study of mRNA vaccines’ effect on Delta raises hopes of shorter isolation periods
- Researchers find vaccinated people hit by breakthrough Covid-19 infections shed the virus faster than unvaccinated counterparts, raising the prospect of faster recoveries and shorter isolation periods
- While the study was not exhaustive, experts say the data reinforces the need for vaccinations alongside mask-wearing
Experts say this could mean faster recoveries and thus shorter isolation periods for those who have been vaccinated with the mRNA vaccines.
Traditional vaccines use incomplete, dead or weakened viral strains that are grown in chicken eggs. Messenger RNA (mRNA) technology works by providing human cells with the genetic instructions to make a surface protein of the coronavirus, which trains the immune system to recognise the actual virus. While studies indicate that mRNA vaccines help the body generate a strong immune response to the virus, including against some variants, experts worldwide say all vaccines continue to provide some form of protection.
Alex Cook, the vice-dean for research at the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, said the study showed that for vaccinated people, “their viral loads are about the same at seven days as an unvaccinated person at 14 days”. He suggested shorter isolation periods or even home-based isolation for this demographic.
David Kochman, a principal scientist at a US biotech company which he asked not to identify, said there was a strong case to be made that at “around day 10, vaccinated individuals are at low risk of transmission”.