Immunity After COVID-19 Illness May Last at Least 1 Year

[2greys]

Long-term data from northern Italy -- an area hit hard during the early days of the pandemic -- suggests that reinfection after recovery from COVID-19 infection is very rare, and immunity in former patients could be long-lasting.

"Natural immunity to SARS-CoV-2 appears to confer a protective effect for at least a year, which is similar to the protection reported in recent vaccine studies," concluded a team led by Dr. Nicola Mumoli, of Fornaroli Hospital in Magenta, Italy.

The findings, which are based on the health records of more than 15,000 people, were published May 28 in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

Despite the encouraging results, there are still important reasons for people who've been through COVID-19 to get vaccinated, said one expert who wrote an editorial that accompanied the study.

"First, we do not know how long natural immunity lasts" after COVID recovery, wrote Dr. Mitchell Katz, of NYC Health and Hospitals. As well, it's unclear how much illness-based immunity protects against new variants of SARS-CoV-2, he added.

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[Aingeful]

My son in law had both his vaccinations but is now suffering from Covid 19. It is very unpredictable.

[2greys in reply to Aingeful]

He has been extremely unlucky, it is a rare occurrence but it can still happen . Hopefully he only has mild symptoms.

[CDPO16 in reply to Aingeful]

So sorry to read this Aingeful. As 2greys said, I too hope that only has mild symptoms and soon makes a full recovery.

[Alberta56 in reply to Aingeful]

Best wishes to you and your son in law.

[Alberta56]

That must be some comfort to people who've had this beastly disease.