Researchers from the North-West University’s Institute for Policy Research say a new study has shown that one dose of two-dose COVID-19 vaccines does not provide adequate protection against the virus in individuals who have previously had mild or asymptomatic cases of the disease, which means individuals are still advised to receive both doses of the vaccine.
According to a press release from the researchers, the study investigated whether individuals who had previously had mild or asymptomatic cases of the coronavirus could achieve a high level of immunity with only one dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, instead of the recommended two. doses. .
The study did not examine the differences between mild COVID cases and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in terms of the robustness of immune response.
Researchers say the study shows how important it is to get coronavirus vaccines, as the treatments are the best way to bring about herd immunity and to make progress in ending the pandemic.
“Our data suggest that the path to herd immunity is really through vaccination,” said Professor Thomas McDade, who was one of the individuals who helped compile the study.
The study found that one dose “does not provide adequate protection for most people who have had mild or asymptomatic cases of COVID-19”, and that individuals should still receive both doses of the treatment.
With more pop-up vaccination clinics in Illinois, health officials hope to make further progress in administering doses and reducing the number of cases. NBC 5’s Jen DeSalvo reports.
According to the press release, nearly 10,000 individuals enrolled in the Chicagoland area. The researchers used two different types of antibody tests for the study, one of which gave an accurate measure of prior exposure to coronavirus to identify those who had less severe COVID cases, and the other a measurement of the level of protective immunity. against the virus.
The study found that mild or asymptomatic cases of COVID ‘generate lower levels of protective immunity’ than those generated by both doses of coronavirus vaccine.
“These mild cases and asymptomatic cases do not provide much protection, and this will slow the progress towards herd immunity (without a vaccine),” McDade said.
According to researchers, individuals who survived serious cases, including those in need of hospitalization, generated a stronger immune response with one dose.
“We find that people who have clinically confirmed severe cases of COVID respond to the first dose of vaccine with a very strong antiviral response and again very protective immunity,” McDade said.
Researchers say that obtaining both doses of COVID vaccine is the best way to ensure protection against the virus itself, and that it is more serious in those who contract the virus, and that the study is more evidence of the arguments.
“It is very important that people achieve the highest level of protection that they can only get for the vast majority of people through both doses of the vaccine,” McDade said.