The immune system is the human defense against disease. Living in the COVID-19 pandemic, our immune system is preparing to face the threat of the SARS-CoV-2 corona virus that causes COVID-19.
Someone finally got infected COVID-19 then recover and finally have antibodies or immunity, some are vaccinated to prepare the immune system. Which method of immunity is the most effective? Let’s take a look at the latest research.
1. The study involved nearly 7,400 participants from 187 hospitals
The US Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) released the study on November 5, 2021. The purpose of the study was to see whether antibodies from the vaccine or post-COVID-19 infection were more potent.
In January 2021-September 2021, there were more than 200,000 hospitalized cases showing symptoms similar to COVID-19. Collecting data from 187 hospitals in nine states of the United States (US), the researchers – incorporated in VISION Network under the auspices of the CDC want to involve patients who:
- 18 years and over
- Positive for COVID-19 in two tests carried out, namely at least 2 weeks before entering the hospital and around the time of hospital admission
- Have been fully vaccinated 3-6 months before or been exposed to COVID-19 3-6 months before
PCR test illustration (unsplash.com/Mufid Majnun)–
From the specified requirements, the researchers got 7,348 participants who met these criteria. The participants were divided into two groups:
- A total of 1,020 participants have been infected with COVID-19 but have not been vaccinated
- A total of 6,328 participants were vaccinated messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) but have never been infected with COVID-19
Next, the participants from the COVID-19 infection group were asked to do a test polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for confirmation.
–
2. Results: immunity from vaccines is much better than people infected with COVID-19
Health workers inject vaccines to volunteers during a COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial simulation at the Faculty of Medicine, Padjadjaran University, Bandung, West Java, Thursday (6/8/2020). (ANTARA PHOTO/M Agung Rajasa)–
As a result, among 6,328 participants who had been fully vaccinated, 324 participants (5.1 percent) were positive for COVID-19. This result was lower than in the 1,020 participants who were not vaccinated and previously infected. A total of 89 participants (8.7 percent) were positive for COVID-19.
“These findings suggest that among adults hospitalized with a COVID-19-like illness who had been infected or vaccinated 90-179 days earlier, vaccine immunity was superior to post-infection immunity to laboratory-confirmed COVID-19,” the study wrote. .
Also read: COVID-19 Vaccine Aims to Form Antibodies? This is the Fact!
Continue reading the article below
Editor’s picks
—
3. Past studies of refuted post-COVID-19 immunity
A COVID-19 patient puts both hands on his head. (BETWEEN PHOTOS/REUTERS/Baz Ratner) –
In the study, the CDC’s research at the same time refutes previous research in Israel in August 2021. Published in medRxiv, the study titled “Comparing SARS-CoV-2 natural immunity to vaccine-induced immunity” actually says that natural immunity after COVID-19 infection is better than vaccine immunity.
“This research proves natural immunity offers longer and stronger protection against infection, symptoms, and hospitalization due to infection.” varian Delta (B.1,617.2), compared to two doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (BNT162b2),” the study wrote.
The CDC investigators explained that this difference in results was most likely due to differences in the methods of the two studies and restrictions on the timing of vaccination. The two main differences are:
- The Israeli study assessed any positive COVID-19 results, whereas the CDC study examined laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 among patients in hospitals.
- The Israeli study only looked at vaccinations at least 6 months in advance, so the benefits of vaccinations in more recent times were missed. Meanwhile, the CDC study recruited patients who received the vaccine 3-6 months earlier.
–
4. Disadvantages of this study
COVID-19 vaccine mRNA from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna (economictimes.indiatimes.com)–
There are several shortcomings in this study that must be considered for further research. First, because this study only assessed the protection of mRNA vaccines, it cannot be used as a reference for non-mRNA vaccines, such as CoronaVac (Sinovac), Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca-Oxford), or Johnson&Johnson.
Second, the possibility of testing for SARS-CoV-2 outside VISION partner medical facilities or participants who were vaccinated did not undergo PCR testing. As a result, some positive SARS-CoV-2 results were missed and some participants who were in the vaccination group or who had never been infected were included in the never-infected group.
–
5. In essence, complete vaccination offers better protection
illustration of COVID-19 vaccination (pixabay.com/KitzD66)–
According to CDC researchers, understanding the difference between post-COVID-19 and immune protection after COVID-19 infection COVID-19 vaccine should be the focus of future research. However, the CDC researchers warn that estimates of vaccine viability could be affected by time.
Rather than risking their lives to trigger COVID-19 antibodies through their lethal infection, research calls for everyone to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. No need to hesitate, this invitation also applies to COVID-19 survivors who have not been vaccinated.
“All eligible persons should be vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible, including those who have not been vaccinated and previously infected with SARS-CoV-2,” the study concluded.
Also Read: Vaccines Can Cause Serious AEFIs, but COVID-19 Is Still More Dangerous
–
–
