A large study published in The Lancet Journal stated that antibodies formed from Covid-19 infection were found to have the same power as vaccinations. A person who has been infected with the virus forms antibodies that can last up to 10 months after being infected.
Once the antibodies were formed, the chances of reinfection, hospitalization and even death were found to be 88 percent lower.
The study says that natural antibodies are at least equal to two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
However, the researchers cautioned that the results of this study should not reduce vaccination rates. Vaccination remains the safest way to get antibodies.
“Vaccines remain critical to protecting high-risk populations such as those over 60 years of age and those with co-morbidities,” said study co-author Caroline Stein, in a statement.
Furthermore, the researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) reviewed 65 studies from 19 countries up to September 2022. This means that these studies cover the period when the Omicron subvariant SARS-CoV-2 dominated the transmission of Covid-19.
However, natural antibodies were also found to continue to decrease. The study found the decline in natural antibodies fell by 36 percent at 10 months after contracting it.
This study at least provides an illustration of the existence of ‘hybrid immunity’ or multiple immunities that can be obtained by someone who has received complete vaccination but is also infected with SARS-CoV-2.
“In the long term, the vast majority of infections will occur in people with strong protection due to prior infection and complete vaccination,” said epidemiologist Cherryl Cohen, who was not involved in the study.
Meanwhile, regarding the update on Covid-19 cases in Indonesia as of 19 February 2023, the number of confirmed positive cases has increased by 113 cases nationwide. 174 people were declared cured, and 2 people were declared dead. Then, the number of active cases decreased by 63.
Furthermore, regarding the national vaccination rate, the first phase of vaccination has increased by 416, the second vaccination has increased by 1,430, and the third or booster vaccine has increased by 5,409.
The government reminds the public to adhere to health protocols even though there has been no spike in Covid-19 cases in recent months.
