By Emily Scarvie
(PORTLAND, Ore.) According to a new study by the Oregon Health and Science University, people who were infected with COVID-19 or got a vaccine could be protected from infection for at least a year, KATU reports.
The study followed 24 people who tested positive for the virus last summer. Researchers said their memory cells are demonstrating strong signs of immunity nearly 11 months later.
William Messer, an OHSU professor, said that normally if an immune response is observed this far out, it lasts for years. However, it’s still unclear what the impact will be on booster shots.
“It doesn’t tell us a whole lot about the necessity of a booster shot yet because we really need to see how much the virus has changed, how much they continue to evolve over time and to see whether that recognition persists over time,” Messer said.
Ken Stedman, a Portland State University professor, said the results are encouraging.
“What this means in terms of booster shots is probably we’re not going to need them, at least not as rapidly, as we thought we might need them,” he said.
In terms of how often people will need to return to get a COVID-19 vaccine, Stedman said, “We really don’t know. I think given this evidence right now, annual, probably not. Every couple of years, every 10 years – that’s, I think, anybody’s guess at this point.”
Messer said the results of the study also showed antibodies recognizing new variants from the last year.
“We’ll be able to see SARS-CoV-2 transmission drop down to levels that are comparable to what we see with a lot of the other seasonal respiratory viruses, where, frankly, the world doesn’t come to a stop with all of them,” he said.
People who were infected with COVID-19 and then later got vaccinated were also examined in the study. These people showed higher levels of antibodies.