SARS-CoV-2 infection rescues B and T cell responses to variants after first vaccine.

[2greys]

A single dose of vaccine boosts protection against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus variants, but only in those with previous COVID-19, a study has found.

In those who have not previously been infected and have so far only received one dose of vaccine the immune response to variants of concern may be insufficient.

The findings, published today in the journal Science and led by researchers at Imperial College London, Queen Mary University of London and University College London, looked at immune responses in UK healthcare workers at Barts and Royal Free hospitals following their first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.*

They found that people who had previously had mild or asymptomatic infection had significantly enhanced protection against the Kent and South Africa variants, after a single dose of the mRNA vaccine. In those without prior COVID-19, the immune response was less strong after a first dose, potentially leaving them at risk from variants.

imperial.ac.uk/news/220613/...

Sciencemag. Research Paper:

science.sciencemag.org/cont...

[Walkwalkwalk]

Hi 2greys. Thanks for these. It’s going to be interesting to see if second doses bring the response of the naive participants to that of pre-infected. The fact that transmission is reduced is important but the immune response will influence how safe vulnerable people will be in the non lockdown stage. Grace

[teenieleek]

Interesting, glad I was careful until after my second dose. In fact I’m still being careful but I am going to shops now.