Morocco’s COVID Vaccines Show 70-80% Effectiveness as Indian Variant Cases Remain Low

In a statement to the MAP, Heikal urged caution and vigilance, "to avoid any impact on the vaccination strategy," indicating that the vaccines available in Morocco (Sinopharm or AstraZeneca) have a fairly high level of effectiveness and efficiency, between 70% and 80% depending on the regimen and populations.

And, Heikal noted that the double mutation of the Indian variant allows it to escape antibodies and be transmitted "much faster compared to the classic wild strain, with an additional transmissibility capacity of 28%". However, the specialist specifies, the scientific data do not authorize to confirm whether it is more dangerous to the point of leading to more complications and more critical cases requiring resuscitation. It also remains to be demonstrated whether the Indian variant, like the South African and Brazilian variants, are less virulent than the British variant or the classic variants, he was keen to specify.

"While we continue the vaccination strategy, it is obvious that before reaching collective immunity which must be 60 to 80% of the target population, we must maintain the barrier measures in a significant way, namely, the wearing of masks, physical distancing (1.5 to 2 m), regular hand washing," for a rapid return to normal life, he concluded.