Buzz
During the pandemic, one of the greatest uncertainties regarding the coronavirus has been the duration of immunity after recovery. Early on, it was assumed that some level of immunity must exist, as reinfections would likely be more common if immunity didn’t develop. However, even after more than a year into the crisis, the precise duration of protection remains uncertain.
A recent study from the UK has provided further data, suggesting that after recovering from COVID-19, the risk of reinfection is reduced by at least 83% for a minimum of five months. This study tracked 20,000 healthcare workers, including 6,614 who had antibodies. Compared to those who hadn’t been infected, those with antibodies were 83% less likely to be reinfected. The actual protection could be even higher, as the study identified 44 “possible” reinfections within the group.
While the study has not been peer-reviewed, you can find reactions from experts at the UK’s Science Media Centre, and additional context is available in detailed reports like this one from Nature.
The findings of the study are largely consistent with earlier research, including this study, which found that healthcare workers with spike protein antibodies had over 90% protection for six months.
CDC guidelines suggest that individuals who have recovered from COVID in the last three months do not need to quarantine if exposed again. This implies immunity for three months, though they offer the following clarification:
Evidence does not definitively rule out the possibility of reinfection during this period, but it suggests that the risks of potential SARS-CoV-2 transmission from those who have recovered are likely outweighed by the personal and societal benefits of avoiding unnecessary quarantine.
In other words, while reinfection may be possible within three months, it appears unlikely.
What does this mean if I’ve already had COVID?
We’ve been living through a time of overwhelming uncertainty, with so many questions still unanswered, and sadly, this remains another unclear area. Over the next year or two, we’ll likely gain a clearer understanding of how long immunity lasts. This applies to the vaccine as well: we know it’s effective for at least two months, but we haven’t had enough time to determine whether immunity fades after months, years, or if it lasts a lifetime.
Here’s what the experts are advising: First, it’s reassuring to know that you probably have some level of protection, which is positive news. However, it’s not necessarily actionable news: You still need to follow the same safety measures as everyone else.
It remains crucial to wear masks, for example, and stick to social distancing guidelines. Don’t assume that it’s safe to be close to others or cough freely without any concerns.
You should also make sure to get the vaccine when it’s available to you. The CDC advises that you should avoid getting vaccinated while you have COVID, but once you’ve recovered, it’s perfectly fine to get vaccinated. If you received antibody treatment during your illness, that could be a reason to delay vaccination, but the infection itself is not.
