Immune protection of COVID-19 vaccination and natural infection - Laith Abu-Raddad, PhD
Many would argue which is better, vaccine or natural immunity. The truth is we need both for maximal protection with newly emerging variants. Professor Laith Jamal Abu-Raddad, PhD presents data on natural infection versus vaccination in a country which had a major Beta Variant surge and has a very young population (over 90% under the age of 50). Natural Infection provided more durable protection than vaccination. With Omicron, a two-dose mRNA vaccination did not provide adequate protection. Three doses provided comparable protection to natural immunity, but hybrid immunity gave the best protection. Unfortunately, all immunity wanes, and this waning is made more pronounced with the emergence of immune escape variants. There is a very heterogeneous immune history in the global population, with many variables, such as different vaccines and dosages, previous infections can occur with different variants and immunity wanes over time. The best advice is to keep one's immunity as high as possible. Health Watch USA^sm Webinar, Frontline Worker Safety in the Age of COVID-19: A Global Perspective. Sept. 14, 2022  Download Slides
   
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