Is the vaccine effective against the Indian Covid variant?
AS the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc in the nation of India, a new variant has emerged from the devastation. The new Indian Covid variant joined the list of other highly contagious mutations, including the British, Brazilian and South African variants. The highly transmissible variant of the coronavirus that was first identified in India now accounts for six percent of infections in the US, Joe Biden's administration said on June 8. Despite the rapid spread, vaccines appear to be highly effective against the version that has quickly spread in the US. As more Americans continue to get vaccinated overall cases have declined 94 percent since January. The number of new Covid cases is at the lowest amount since March 2020. The variant raised eyebrows in Britain as it spread across the UK causing more serious illness and increased risk of hospitalizations. Dr Anthony Fauci warned the US can't let the variant spread like it did in the UK. "We cannot let that happen in the United States, which is such a powerful argument to underscore what Dr. (Rochelle) Walensky said, to get vaccinated, particularly if you've had your first dose, make sure you get that second dose," he said at a press briefing on June 7. 4 Dr Anthony Fauci said two doses of vaccine have shown to be effective against the Indian variant Credit: AFP  "And for those who have been not vaccinated yet, please get vaccinated. This is the national month of action." Fauci said two doses of vaccine have shown to be effective against the variant, but people who aren't vaccinated or who have only received one dose are still more at risk. President Biden tweeted about the risk from the variant, saying, "If youre young and havent gotten your shot yet, it really is time. Its the best way to protect yourself and those you love." Since Covid-19 vaccine distribution began in the US in mid-December 2020, more than 300million doses have been administered. 4 In the US, over 140million Americans are fully vaccinated Credit: Reuters  Most read in News JOE TIME Biden chokes up in UK speech & says he'll tell Putin 'what I want him to know' Breaking OH JOE! Biden jokes I keep forgetting Im president in awkward moment during UK speech Breaking BASE ALERT Air Force base in Texas put on lockdown after shooting outside gates ROLLING IN DOUGH Push for recurring stimulus checks 'to be sent out FOREVER' WHALE SMASH Teen, 18, fighting for life after being head-butted by a WHALE 'not fit' Idaho Cult mom COMMITTED for murdering kids as husband pleads not guilty  According to the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention vaccine tracker, over a 140million Americans are fully vaccinated, or 42.3 percent of the total US population. The Biden administration administered 200million vaccines before his first 100 days in office. Administration rates peaked in early April - as the US gave out more than three million Covid-19 shots per day.