Natural Immunity
Not everyone who has a case of COVID-19 will have natural immunity - Dorry Segev MD PhD
image by: World Health Organization Western Pacific Region
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Why Is There Such Reluctance to Discuss Natural Immunity?
Is it because it’s hard to quantify how many people have natural immunity? Is it out of a mix of good intentions and worry, that discussing natural immunity would somehow discourage (“nudge,” in Fauci’s term) people from getting vaccines who otherwise would? Is it simple oversight, being so focused on vaccinations that they just plain forgot about natural immunity? Or is something else at work?
Whatever the reason, it’s keeping Americans in the dark about how many people have active immunity from Covid-19. It’s keeping people needlessly fearful and suspicious of each other. It’s empowering executive overreach. Worst of all, it’s tempting people to consider government and business…
Resources
The CDC (finally) admitted the science on natural immunity. What took so long?
Upon releasing new pandemic guidelines last week, CDC epidemiologist Greta Massetti explained to reporters what many have been saying for more than a year: both vaccines and prior infection offer protection from severe symptomatic Covid.
The Immunity Debate Around Vaccine Policies
As the world grapples with the new Omicron variant of Covid-19, the role of immunity from prior infection has gained fresh significance. The Wall Street Journal's Denise Roland discusses with WSJ What's News host Peter Granitz why scientists are divided on whether country-specific vaccine rules should account for prior infection as well as vaccine-induced immunity.
Why aren’t we celebrating the naturally immune?
In my opinion, these individuals are vital in our fight toward herd immunity. We should be grateful for every person who lives among us who can no longer get or spread this awful disease. Their immunity should be confirmed and celebrated. And counted.
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.
Natural Immunity and the Covid Vaccines
The previously infected can gain additional protection.
We must stop ignoring natural immunity - it’s now long overdue!
There is now growing body of literature supporting the conclusion that natural immunity not only confers robust, durable, and high-level protection against COVID-19, but also better than vaccine induced immunity. Yet most scientific journals, media outlets, self-proclaimed health experts and public policy messaging continue to cast doubt. That doubt has real-world consequences, particularly for resource limited countries. We would like to review available data.
‘Natural Immunity’ From Covid Is Not Safer Than a Vaccine
What if you’ve already had Covid-19 — do you still need a vaccine? Experts tackle questions about vaccine immunity.
'Natural immunity' to COVID has its limits
Many people likely believe that prior infection will protect them forever, but unfortunately, it will not.
Although natural immunity exists, health experts say inoculation is safer
Although experts now say previously infected people might be protected, many still consider vaccinations the best protection and the best path to take.
COVID infections may give more potent immunity than vaccines – but that doesn’t mean you should try to catch it
First, the possibility that a COVID infection leads to longer-lived immunity than vaccination is not far-fetched. Infection exposes our immune system to several viral proteins, whereas the most commonly used COVID vaccines introduce a single antigen: the spike protein. This results in a more directed but also a more restricted immune response than after infection.
Covid Natural Immunity vs Vaccine Immunity
There’s a lot of talk about “natural immunity” to Covid-19, and some people are refusing vaccination on the grounds that they’ve got this natural immunity thanks to a previous Covid-19 infection. In this episode we take a look at how infection and vaccination compare in terms of immunity, reinfection, and overall health risks and benefits.
COVID super-immunity: one of the pandemic’s great puzzles
People who have previously recovered from COVID-19 have a stronger immune response after being vaccinated than those who have never been infected. Scientists are trying to find out why.
COVID-19 natural immunity versus vaccination
If you've had COVID-19 before, does your natural immunity work better than a vaccine? The data is clear: Natural immunity is not better. The COVID-19 vaccines create more effective and longer-lasting immunity than natural immunity from infection.
Does Natural Immunity Protect Against the SARS-CoV-2 Variants, or Do I Still Need the Vaccine?
Why vaccination is crucial in the fight against the COVID-19 variants.
From Natural Immunity to Vaccinated, How Protected Are You From COVID-19?
The bottom line: The natural immunity that you get following infection isn't enough. Even if you've had COVID-19, it's important to get vaccinated once you've recovered.
Having SARS-CoV-2 once confers much greater immunity than a vaccine—but vaccination remains vital
The study demonstrates the power of the human immune system, but infectious disease experts emphasized that this vaccine and others for COVID-19 nonetheless remain highly protective against severe disease and death. And they caution that intentional infection among unvaccinated people would be extremely risky
Natural COVID-19 immunity is powerful — but kind of irrelevant
Over 43 million Americans have reported cases of COVID-19. Many of them likely have some amount of natural immunity, and this kind of immunity can be quite protective, even without vaccination. Why does it seem that scientists are ignoring natural immunity in the national discussion of vaccine mandates and vaccine passports?
Natural Immunity vs. Super Immunity: Only a COVID-19 Vaccination Away
Many believe that super immunity can develop in those who have had SARS-CoV-2 infections and have become vaccinated. Meanwhile, fully vaccinated might mean getting 3 doses, not 2.
Nearly half US might have ‘natural immunity’ from COVID-19, but infection brings high risks
It’s not possible to know exactly what percentage of the United States population has some level of natural immunity attributable to becoming infected without having been vaccinated. That’s because not all infections get recorded, since some people who were infected didn’t know it, or had symptoms but never got tested. Moreover, natural immunity is not absolute — protection decreases over time — and people who are unvaccinated and become infected are at a much higher risk of hospitalization or death.
New study indicates natural immunity offers greater protection from COVID-19 than vaccines
A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine is backing up claims that natural immunity provides greater protection from COVID-19 infection than multiple vaccine doses.
Please Don’t Try to Get Natural COVID Immunity by Getting Infected
New data shows that a previous COVID infection boosted immunity against the delta variant—but vaccines are still the best way to protect yourself.
Some Workers Want Covid-19 Recovery Accepted as Evidence of Immunity
Previous infection should be recognized as proof of protection and exempt employees from vaccine mandates, some workers say
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.
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.
The people with hidden immunity against Covid-19
While the latest research suggests that antibodies against Covid-19 could be lost in just three months, a new hope has appeared on the horizon: the enigmatic T cell.
The Power of Natural Immunity
Studies show it’s durable and widespread. If you’ve had Covid, you can get by with one shot of vaccine.
Vaccine Policy Should Consider the Power of ‘Hybrid Immunity’
As a physician in a Covid-19 care unit, I celebrate the vaccines as one of medicine’s greatest triumphs. They provide extraordinary protection against severe disease and death, and are the world’s best option for returning to a more normal life. As a scientist and lead investigator for a study on Covid-19 immunity, I have also come to appreciate the significance of so-called natural immunity acquired by those who have had Covid-19, and the power of “hybrid immunity” — the protection gained when such people also get vaccinated.
What immunity to Covid-19 might actually mean
The first thing to know about the immune system is that it is not simple. At all.
What Is “Natural Immunity”? And Why Should You Get the Vaccine Even if You Already Had COVID?
How immunity works and why you should get vaccinated—even if you had COVID.
Which protects you more against Covid – vaccination or prior infection?
For the Delta variant at least, the latest analysis suggests they are roughly equivalent
Why We Can’t Rely On Natural Immunity To Protect Us From Covid-19
We cannot rely on natural immunity to protect us from this virus. As long as we don’t have a vaccine, we must use testing, assisted isolation, and other evidence-based public health measures to build up long-lasting and efficacious defenses. Too much is at stake for us to sit back and wait.
Why you should get a COVID-19 vaccine – even if you’ve already had the coronavirus
Natural immunity from infection is simply far too unreliable in the face of such a devastating virus. Current COVID-19 vaccines offer incredibly strong, consistent protection to the great majority of people. So, for anyone eligible, even those who have already had a SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19 vaccines offer immense benefits.
‘Natural Immunity’ From Covid Is Not Safer Than a Vaccine
What if you’ve already had Covid-19 — do you still need a vaccine? Experts tackle questions about vaccine immunity.
Why Is There Such Reluctance to Discuss Natural Immunity?
Why, from people who know better, is there so much interest in downplaying or erasing natural immunity? Is it because it’s hard to quantify how many people have natural immunity? Is it out of a mix of good intentions and worry, that discussing natural immunity would somehow discourage (“nudge,” in Fauci’s term) people from getting vaccines who otherwise would? Is it simple oversight, being so focused on vaccinations that they just plain forgot about natural immunity? Or is something else at work?
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