US study shows vaccine gives coronavirus survivors big immune boost
- CDC report adds to growing laboratory evidence that people who had one bout of Covid-19 get a broader protection against mutants when they’re vaccinated
- According to a survey, one of the main reasons Americans cite for not planning to get vaccinated is the belief that they’re protected since they already had Covid-19
Friday’s report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention adds to growing laboratory evidence that people who had one bout of Covid-19 get a dramatic boost in virus-fighting immune cells – and a bonus of broader protection against new mutants – when they’re vaccinated.
“If you have had Covid-19 before, please still get vaccinated,” said CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky. “Getting the vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others around you, especially as the more contagious Delta variant spreads around the country.”
According to a new Gallup survey, one of the main reasons Americans cite for not planning to get vaccinated is the belief that they’re protected since they already had Covid-19. From the beginning health authorities have urged survivors to get the broader protection vaccination promises. While the shots aren’t perfect, they are providing strong protection against hospitalisation and death even from the Delta mutant.
Scientists say infection does generally leave survivors protected against a serious reinfection at least with a similar version of the virus, but blood tests have signalled that protection drops against worrisome variants.