Scientists do not reportedly have enough data to analyse and study how long natural immunity against COVID-19 lasts.
Experts have repeatedly pointed out that vaccination offers the best protection against COVID-19. This is why countries continue to race to vaccinate the majority of their respective populations.
But, aside from vaccination, infection also offers some immunity against developing the disease again. While scientists know that reinfection occurs amid the pandemic, the duration of natural immunity remains unclear.
This has since led experts and officials to study and analyse how long immunity from prior infection lasts. Medical News Today recently released a report, detailing some of the latest data.
Immunity from infection is not lifelong
Some individuals reportedly developed COVID-19 more than once. But, the number of cases is “too small” to carry out an epidemiological study. Accordingly, here lies the challenge and difficulty of determining how long natural immunity lasts.
Scientists, nevertheless, conducted studies to learn more about the matter. As reported, they have analysed “previously published data on viruses” similar to the COVID-19-causing virus.
Based on the analysis, researchers found out that unvaccinated individuals can expect the immunity to last between three to 61 months. This is if the virus remains in circulation in the community.
Dr. Ajay Sethi of the University of Wisconsin-Madison shared a few words with the publication about the data. He said that the study, which is now in The Lancet Microbe, “could help encourage” the public to take the COVID-19 vaccines.
He also stressed that the study underlines how important it is for the public to understand the reach and extent of natural immunity. It is not “as long lasting as some may perceive, and certainly not lifelong,” he added.
About the study and data
The publication shared that the researchers analysed the genes of 177 coronaviruses, which are known to affect humans. They reportedly determined the closest relatives of SARS-CoV-2 or the COVID-19-causing virus.
Following the study, the researchers found that COVID-19 reinfection among unvaccinated individuals could happen within three months after the initial infection. Moreover, under endemic conditions, the median risk of reinfection is within 16 months.
The best protection against COVID-19
Last month, Global News reported that many anti-vaccine groups have utilized the idea of natural immunity. As explained, they have touted it as a “viable alternative” to vaccination against COVID-19.
Experts argued that, while prior infection, indeed, offers protection, it is “unreliable” and “inconsistent” because no one knows how long it lasts. Moreover, there is a significant amount of “variability” in terms of immunity as it varies from one person to another.
Overall, experts agree that natural immunity is not superior to vaccination. Furthermore, it is best and safest to take the COVID-19 vaccines, even after infection.
Images courtesy of DW News/YouTube