The fifth wave of the coronavirus in Spain is affecting, above all, the younger population. More than 1.5 million people between the ages of 20 and 29 (with an incidence of 1,866 in 14 days, almost triple the average) have already received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine, while in the age group between 12 and 19 years (with an incidence of 1,560), there are 231,000 who have already received the first prick. Many people, therefore, become infected in the interval between the first and second doses of the vaccine. What to do in those cases?
Virologist Isabel Sola, co-director of the Coronavirus Laboratory of the National Center for Biotechnology of the CSIC explains that “when a person has received only the first dose, they still do not have full protection and it is possible that they could become infected and test positive,” so in that case, it is recommended that they receive the second dose of the vaccine. . Of course, “when it corresponds or when it can come out of the corresponding isolation”.
The case of those who had already had the disease (before receiving the vaccine) is different and, in fact, in these circumstances it is enough to administer a single dose. “It has been proven that even people who have had the mild disease and, especially, those who have had a more severe disease, have developed an immune response against the virus, so that a single dose of the vaccine is sufficient to achieve a level of immunity and protection similar to or higher than that achieved with two doses of the vaccine, “explains Sola.
The order of the factors
It is not the same to pass the disease and receive a dose than to receive a dose and pass the disease. The order of the factors, therefore, does alter the product. But why? “The difference is above all in the severity of the disease,” explains the virologist. “When one has an infection that is not symptomatic, the immunity that develops is small. The more severe the disease, on the other hand, the greater the immune response. Therefore, when someone has had symptoms, a single dose is enough to have protection. But when someone tests positive after receiving the first dose, it is normal that they do not have a severe disease, so it is recommended that they receive a second dose of the vaccine. “
Protects from disease, not contagion
According to Sola, “every time we are exposed to the virus again or receive an additional dose of the vaccine, our immune system activates our memory system and this is a boost for immunity.”
But that does not mean that the fact of being vaccinated definitively frees us from contagions. “TAll licensed vaccines are effective in protecting against symptomatic disease, particularly severe disease and death, “explains the virologist.” But they only partially protect against infection. This means that a vaccinated person can become infected and that, when infected, they can infect others. But most likely you will have an asymptomatic or mild infection that lasts less than if you were not vaccinated. “
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