COVID-19 infection may offer similar immunity as vaccination

The findings, of course, do not suggest that infection is preferred over vaccination, which is the much safer alternative.

 Most Americans Have Had COVID-19. That Doesn't Mean They Won't Get It Again

A study from U.K. researchers published in the New England Journal of Medicine in March found that infection-related immunity stays strong for up to a year, then began to wane—whereas the protection offered by two doses of a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine begins to wane at around six months.

 Natural infection versus vaccination: Differences in COVID antibody responses emerge

The findings highlight an advantage bestowed by natural infection rather than vaccination, but the authors caution that the benefits of stronger memory B cells do not outweigh the risk of disability and death from COVID-19.

 The High Cost of Disparaging Natural Immunity to Covid

Vaccines were wasted on those who didn’t need them, and people who posed no risk lost jobs.

CDC: Prior Covid Infection Offered More Protection Against Delta Than Vaccines — But Both Together Did Best

When the coronavirus’ delta variant surged last year, vaccinated people with prior infections were less likely to catch the virus than those who only had immunity from either an earlier case or vaccination, according to a study released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — another datapoint in the confusing and often-mixed research into the power of natural immunity.

Comparing SARS-CoV-2 natural immunity to vaccine-induced immunity: reinfections versus breakthrough infections

This study demonstrated that natural immunity confers longer lasting and stronger protection against infection, symptomatic disease and hospitalization caused by the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2, compared to the BNT162b2 two-dose vaccine-induced immunity.

COVID infections may give more potent immunity than vaccines – but that doesn’t mean you should try to catch it

Although the study draws attention to the potency of naturally acquired immunity, it does not consider the risks involved in achieving natural immunity through infection. Nor does it cast a shadow on vaccine-generated immunity.

COVID-19 immunity: Infection compared with vaccination

Research looking into different aspects of immunity against COVID-19 after infection and vaccination is ongoing, especially as new variants emerge. Knowledge of COVID-19 and vaccine immunology will continue to evolve and we will continue to monitor developments and review the information provided in this graphic.

Having SARS-CoV-2 once confers much greater immunity than a vaccine—but vaccination remains vital

The natural immune protection that develops after a SARS-CoV-2 infection offers considerably more of a shield against the Delta variant of the pandemic coronavirus than two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, according to a large Israeli study that some scientists wish came with a “Don’t try this at home” label.

Natural immunity after Covid-19 could last at least 5 months

There’s some good news for those who’ve already been infected with the coronavirus.

Past Covid-19 Infection Gives Vaccine-Like Immunity For Months, Study Finds

Most people who have recovered from Covid-19 have similar levels of immunity against future infection to those who received a coronavirus vaccine, a study by Public Health England found, offering early hope against fears of a short-lived immunity spurred on by reports of people catching the virus twice, though the researchers warn that those with immunity may still be able to carry and transmit the virus to others.

Sorry, a Coronavirus Infection Might Not Be Enough to Protect You

Anyone who’d rather have COVID-19 than get vaccinated is taking two gambles: that immunity will stick around, and that symptoms won’t.