COVID-19 Re-Infections and Boosters: An Update from Our CDC

Thankfully, for now, there is no widespread infection rate in our country concerning the COVID-19 virus and its variants; however, as we know, within a month or so this can change. It is difficult to know what to do in the way of boosters; how much is too much intervention, how much is too little. Certainly, politics can get in the way.

My intent is solely to offer information from the CDC. The CDC is our national voice on public health. We like to think that they are not political in their decision-making. We like to think that their recommendations are based upon solid facts. So, here I offer some bullet points on COVID-19 re-infection and boosters.

*** “A systematic review and meta-analysis including data from three vaccine efficacy trials and four observational studies from the US, Israel, and the United Kingdom, found no significant difference in the overall level of protection provided by infection [natural immunity] as compared with protection provided by vaccination” (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/vaccine-induced-immunity.html, updated October 29, 2021, accessed November 29, 2021. This quote is taken from the section entitled, “Comparison of Infection- and Vaccine-induced Immune Responses.”).

So, according to the CDC, prior infection with the virus [natural immunity] and vaccination both provide “no significant difference in the overall level of protection” from re-infection. This is NOT to suggest that one should get this infection on purpose.

*** “Both SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination induce an immune response that initially confers high levels of protection against symptomatic COVID-19 illness” (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/vaccine-induced-immunity.html, updated October 29, 2021, accessed November 29, 2021. This quote is taken from the section entitled, “Background.”).

This confirms the prior bullet point, in the way of the initial immune response being at a high level for both natural immunity and from vaccination in protection from the illness.

*** At this time, there is no specific antibody test or antibody threshold that can determine an individual’s risk of subsequent infection” (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/vaccine-induced-immunity.html, updated October 29, 2021, accessed November 29, 2021. These quotes are taken from the sections entitled, “Initial Immune Response to Vaccination” and “Correlation of Immune Response Metrics to Protection.”).

The CDC still cannot let us know our “individual risk of subsequent infection;” our individual risk of subsequent infection after natural immunity and after vaccine immunity are unknown.

*** “Data from small clinical trials show that vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 infection is waning after the primary series, but protection remains high against severe disease and hospitalization” (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html?s_cid=11706:cdc%20covid%20booster%20recommendations:sem.ga:p:RG:GM:gen:PTN:FY22, November 19, 2021 updated, accessed November 29, 2021. This quote is taken from the section entitled, “Data Supporting Need for a Booster Shot.”).

*** “There is substantial immunologic and increasing epidemiologic evidence that vaccination following infection further increases protection against subsequent illness among those who have been previously infected” (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/vaccine-induced-immunity.html, updated October 29, 2021, accessed November 29, 2021. This quote was taken from the section entitled, “Vaccine-induced Immune Responses after Previous Infection.”).

It seems that the boosters provide enhanced protection from illness, even for those with natural immunity. The decision to obtain a booster is best made with a knowledge of one’s health status and age with consultation from personal medical providers. All medications have side effects and risks; this must be weighed against one’s health status to determine the individual need for the booster.

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