BUFFALO, N.Y. — ​There is more confusion surrounding the efficacy of vaccines in the face of the new delta variant.

University at Buffalo Professor Dr. Thomas Russo, who is also the chief of infectious diseases, says that vaccines remain our way out of this pandemic, even while the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have been known to be less effective against variants.

Normally, the vaccines are around 94% effective against COVID-19, but that number decreases to 88% when faced with the delta variant, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says can be as contagious as chicken pox.

Russo said that although the mRNA vaccines are the best in the world, they are still not 100% effective against the virus.

"But I think the critical point that people have to realize is that for a large part, those breakthrough cases represent asymptomatic or mild disease and those individuals for the most part are not landing in hospitals or having bad outcomes," Russo said.

Russo cautions even some fully vaccinated individuals, such as those who are immunocompromised or more elderly with underlying health conditions, should stay cautious. But he says no matter the variant, people should get the vaccination to protect themselves.