With the increase in coronavirus infections during the UK winter, many people had important questions regarding their protection. One key question was: If I get infected and receive the full COVID-19 vaccination, will I be protected?
Research shows that the combination of prior infection and vaccination results in hybrid immunity, offering more durable protection compared to just vaccination or infection alone. This hybrid immunity helps to protect against severe COVID-19 disease, even if it doesn’t completely prevent infection.
After a year from your last infection or booster shot, the protection against severe disease decreases but still remains somewhat effective. The overall protection against infection is less clear, but hybrid immunity generally provides protection from infection for about 8 months, with optimal effectiveness around three months after infection or a booster shot.
The level of protection varies from person to person and depends on factors such as the virus variant, the type of vaccine received, and the virus evolution. Vaccines can help reduce the risk of prolonged infection after a previous infection, but the duration of this partial protection is unclear.
It is uncertain how effective hybrid immunity is against long COVID-19 strains, but getting vaccinated, wearing masks, and avoiding crowded indoor spaces remain essential measures for prevention. While no single measure is perfect, combining multiple proven strategies is the best approach.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
