Sinopharm’s Covid‑19 Vaccine Shows a Slower Response to Delta Variant
In a fresh look at how the China‑produced BBIBP‑CorV vaccine stacks up against one of the pandemic’s trickiest strains, researchers found the antibody response to the Delta variant is noticeably weaker – about 1.38‑fold lower than the response to the original Wuhan strain.
What the Study Reveals
- Delta Weakness: Antibody levels fall roughly one and a half times when fighting Delta.
- Beta Beaten: Even more dramatic – a ten‑fold dip against the South African Beta variant.
- Natural vs. Vaccine: The vaccine’s antibody levels are on par with folks who’ve bounced back from natural infection, both against Delta and Beta.
Who Did the Work?
The research team, a mix of scientists from University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Colombo Municipal Council, and the University of Oxford, tapped into Sri Lanka’s pandemic experience to pull together the data.
Why It Matters
Sinopharm is one of China’s most widely distributed vaccines, and the company plans to donate up to 170 million doses through the global Covax initiative up to mid‑next year. These findings help shape how the world can rely on this vaccine against newer, more contagious variants.
Takeaway
Overall, the BBIBP‑CorV vaccine’s effectiveness against Delta and Beta is a bit behind that of the early Wuhan strain, but it still stands at a level comparable to natural immunity. A healthy reminder that vaccines and natural infections can keep us bullet‑proof, but staying updated with boosters is always a good move.
