15 december 2021 – 08:08
In the period between September and December, Sanquin Research’s research into blood donations shows that the amounts of antibodies against corona in the blood of donors decrease further. That was the expectation. Interestingly, those infected with corona have more antibodies, and show less decrease in antibodies, than those who have only been vaccinated.
“Antibodies in respiratory infections usually decrease quickly over time,” explains Hans Zaaijer, medical microbiologist and chief researcher at Sanquin. “In previous research, we already saw that the amount of anti-Covid-19 antibodies halves approximately every 3 months. Our most recent study among Dutch blood donors also shows this. We hope that there will be a plateau, so that the antibodies do not disappear completely. But we don’t see that reflected in the numbers yet.”
Hans Zaaijer is not worried about this result from his research. “We are seeing the number of ready ‘soldiers’, the antibodies, decrease, so to speak. But we can’t say when you’ll have too few. Because our research cannot show how effective against Covid-19 is the immune memory (which produces new antibodies very quickly with a new infection) or the innate immune system (which is able to stop new infections via skin, mucous membranes or physical flora). Purely on the basis of declining antibodies, it is not possible to predict whether and when we are really significantly more susceptible to Covid-19.”
Roughly 20% of blood donors have had an infection, and in total Sanquin has found antibodies in 97%. So most are vaccinated. The decrease in antibodies in the blood is stronger in vaccinated people than in blood donors who have been infected. “But the government has of course already started the booster program,” adds Hans Zaaijer. “I think it’s right on time, the oldest in the Netherlands have been vaccinated for the first time, so the decline in antibodies has been going on there for some time. By boosting now, I expect that we will be in good shape at the next peak with an average increase in the number of antibodies again.”
–
Source: Sanquin
—
Editorial Medicalfacts/ Janine Budding
I studied physiotherapy and health care business administration. I am also a registered Independent client supporter and informal care broker. I have a lot of experience in various positions in healthcare, the social domain and the medical, pharmaceutical industry, nationally and internationally. And have broad medical knowledge of most specialties in healthcare. And of the health care laws from which health care is regulated and financed. Every year I attend most of the leading medical conferences in Europe and America to keep my knowledge up-to-date and to keep up with the latest developments and innovations. I am currently studying applied psychology.
My messages on this weblog do not reflect the strategy, policy or direction of an employer, nor are they the work of or for a client or employer.
—
–
