Research shows your immune system can improve in two cases,
- After recovering from COVID-19.
- After receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.
These are the two types of immunity, natural and vaccine-induced immunity.
Natural Immunity
For immunity protection your body requires,
- Antibodies- Proteins circulating in the blood that recognize foreign substances and neutralize them.
- T cells help recognize and kill pathogens.
- B cells make new anti-bodies for the body.
These components have been found in people who recover from COVID-19.
How Long Does Natural Immunity Last in Our Bodies?
Previous studies have shown that these components last for 8 months or more, but currently, the natural immunity after COVID tends to last only for a few months.
Scientists say that natural immunity of more than 95% of people who have recovered from COVID-19 might last up to 2, 3, and 5 months after being infected. Similarly, the immune memories last for almost the same period of time after vaccination.
A new study from the United Kingdom has discovered that our bodies’ protective antibodies tend to decline quickly in people who have recovered from COVID-19.
Research is still going on to find the durability of antibodies after a COVID infection.
However, COVID-19 is highly contagious and life-threatening; hence, it is advised to get vaccinated to boost your immunity. Other than this, maintaining social distancing, wearing a mask, and using sanitizers need to be continued to stop the spread.
Dr. Yvonne Maldonado says that the regular common cold-causing Coronavirus leaves people to get infected over and over again. Hence they are not sure about how long the protective antibodies can last.
Therefore, it is made clear that the immunity you get from natural infection might only last 2,3, or only around 5 months.
Vaccine-induced immunity
Two vaccines are in use currently in the United States,
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- Moderna
An individual must get two shots of the vaccination with a few weeks gap.
A few weeks after the vaccination, your body will have T cells and B cells to fight against the virus.
The Study
Imperial College London has conducted research to help know more about the antibodies and their durability. Over 350,000 individuals with Coronavirus infection were taken blood antibody tests.
Participants- 99, 908
First Round-
Took place- Late June and early July
Result- 60 per 1,000 participants had antibodies
Final Round-
Took place- September
Result- 44 per 1,000 participants had antibodies
Results:
- The number of people who have detectable antibodies dropped down by 26% between the months of June and September.
- The decline in antibodies was found more common in older people in the age of 75 and above. And in people who had a mild infection.
It requires in-depth research to discover the durability of the antibodies in people who have recovered from the infection. Hence, experts advise getting a vaccine.
