Coronavirus immunity: how can we develop it and how long might it last?
- While the world uses emergency measures to slow transmission, stopping it also rests on the human immune system’s ability to respond
- Recovered patients’ immunity expected to last longer than that for influenza, raising hopes for vaccines to have long-term effectiveness
The South China Morning Post spoke to researchers about what we know about immunity so far.
How is immunity to the virus developed?
Infection with Sars or Mers results in a protective immune response in which T cells and antibodies specific to the pathogen are generated. T cells are important for killing virus-infected cells, while antibodies bind to the virus and prevent it infecting new cells, according to St John.
“Pre-clinical vaccine studies for Sars and Mers have shown that ‘mucosal immunity’ is especially critical for protection against coronaviruses,” she said. “This kind of immunity gives you protection in your lungs, gut and nasal mucosal surfaces.”
Vaccines can generate immunity to the virus without people becoming sick. Researchers are working to produce a vaccine that simulates the immune responses of healthy individuals who cleared the virus, St John said.