NPR - "Immunity to COVID-19 Could Last Longer Than You'd Think"

[wave rider]

https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1032520934

Heard this story a couple days ago and wonder what our resident well informed members thought of it. The story makes me feel a bit better…

All Things Considered wrote:
The Biden administration now recommends all eligible Americans receive a COVID-19 shot about eight months after the original course. The rationale is that the vaccine's effectiveness against infection is waning. Now there's new evidence your body may be more ready to fight the virus at that point than previously thought. NPR's Michaeleen Doucleff explains.

[mrbigstuff]

We will not be "safe" until we get to zero deaths from covid.

Or maybe get a weekly vaccine shot.

[AllGold]

The story kind of contradicts itself. Talks about long-lasting immunity at first but closes by talking about waning immunity and breakthrough infections, although those are supposed to be mild.

[Lemon Drop]

Wow, great stuff!! I have heard similar theories but this scientist has the data.

I'm curious about the other study referenced here yesterday that said lower numbers of antibodies equates to less protection. This says the opposite if I'm understanding it.


I don't think it's contradictory, they are just confirming that vaccines don't prevent all infection, they reduce illness if you do get infected.

[Sarcany]

Yes, antibody levels go down some weeks after a vaccination so they are not an accurate measure of an immune response. Cells can nest in bone marrow and lymph and retain a "memory" of how to fight off the virus for years. This is also normal and expected.

This has some medical professionals hopeful that the immune response from vaccination will remain strong for quite awhile.

But...

Some 20% or so of people being admitted to hospitals for COVID are people who have been vaccinated. The most likely explanations are that our immunity is waning or we're less capable of fighting off variants (or both).

Boosters address both of these issues. Maybe not perfectly, but every bit that helps is certainly an option to keep on the table, doncha think?

[Lemon Drop]

Sarcany wrote:


Boosters address both of these issues. Maybe not perfectly, but every bit that helps is certainly an option to keep on the table, doncha think?

Of course! Research continues.

[Ombligo]

I listened to that report, it was very interesting.

The theory, as I understood, about the breakthroughs is those individuals were subjected to a large dose of the virus. That overwhelmed the person before the immune could react sufficiently. But the immune system could beat it back before it became serious in most cases.

[N-OS X-tasy!]

I wish the media would stop reporting on every "woulda/shoulda/coulda" with regards to vaccines and variants and wait until the dust has settled and we're able to discern the facts from the fluff.

[Sarcany]

N-OS X-tasy! wrote:
I wish the media would stop reporting on every "woulda/shoulda/coulda" with regards to vaccines and variants and wait until the dust has settled and we're able to discern the facts from the fluff.

That could take decades.

[RgrF]

N-OS X-tasy! wrote:
I wish the media would stop reporting on every "woulda/shoulda/coulda" with regards to vaccines and variants and wait until the dust has settled and we're able to discern the facts from the fluff.

So long as the "media" (that includes NPR) relies on clickbait, that's not gonna' happen.