People who have had the coronavirus still need to get COVID-19 vaccine shots, according to experts.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy remains apparent in many parts of the globe. Despite all the experts’ assurances and recommendations, a significant number of individuals still refuse to get the jab.
Amid this issue, though, health officials continue to remind and urge the public to get vaccine shots. This also applies even to those who have already had the coronavirus.
Healthline recently released a report, explaining why even those who contracted the virus need to take the jabs. As noted, these individuals may still experience reinfection, and consequently, transmit it to others.
Why COVID-19 vaccine is a need
The publication said that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has guidance on the matter. On the official website, it states that “experts do not yet know how long” the protection will last after recovering from the coronavirus.
It also points out that reinfection, “although rare,” is possible. This is why getting a COVID-19 vaccine is necessary.
An infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University shared some pointers about the guidance. He said that the recommendation is “based on two factors.”
Dr. William Schaffner explained that the “antibody levels after vaccination are much higher” than the levels after natural infection. He, then, added that higher antibody levels usually have links to a much “longer duration of protection.”
The expert, later on, referenced “Tony Fauci’s word” to point out the second factor. He said that “higher antibody levels provide a greater cushion of protection against some of the variants.”
The cause for another reminder
The latest recommendations and reminders from experts reportedly come after Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky stated that he does not have plans on getting a COVID-19 vaccine. The same publication said that he contracted the virus earlier in March 2020.
Speaking to a WABC radio show in New York, he noted that he made his “own personal decision” not to get the vaccine because he has already had the disease. Accordingly, he concludes that he has “natural immunity.”
In response to the senator’s claims, Dr. Julie Parsonnet thought of the assertions as a reflection of a “lack of understanding” about how immunity works. While she agreed that there will be “some immunity” after contracting the virus, getting a COVID-19 vaccine will provide “better immunity.”
For potential long-lasting immunity
Meanwhile, researchers have found out that people who had COVID-19 and took vaccines may have long-lasting immunity, according to Khou. This comes after the discussions about booster shots continue to emerge these past few weeks.
As noted, the studies reportedly show the immune response due to a previous contraction, alongside a COVID-19 vaccine, “is so strong that it can fight” COVID-19 variants. This does not apply, however, to those who just had their vaccines and to those who recovered from the virus but did not get the jab.
Images (1) & (2) courtesy of Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) /YouTube