Hybrid immunity, the combination of COVID-19 recovery and immunization, provides up to 12 months of protection against severe reinfection or hospitalization, according to a study published in The Lancet on Jan. 18.
People who had COVID-19 but were not immunized still have some immunity at the one-year mark, but the study showed infection alone provides less than 75 percent protection after recovery.
The international study, funded by the World Health Organization, revealed hybrid immunity can prevent more than 97 percent of severe recurrences in the 12 months following infection or initial vaccination, whichever is most recent. Further, people who received COVID-19 boosters receive an additional six months of protection.
The timing of vaccines and the necessity of boosters continues to be debated, a Bloomberg article points out. However, the findings of this new WHO study may be used to inform COVID-19 immunization going forward with regard to timing between boosters.
Health officials can use the results of the study as they plan future vaccine and booster campaigns, as the research underscores the effectiveness of getting vaccinated and boosted even after being infected with COVID-19, the researchers said.