If you already had COVID-19, you may be feeling safe from future infection.
To be sure, having had COVID does offer some protection. But it doesn’t mean you have the same level of protection that’s offered by the vaccine.
In a Jan. 19 release, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised: "Although the epidemiology of COVID-19 might change as new variants emerge, vaccination remains the safest strategy for averting future SARS-CoV-2 infections, hospitalizations, long-term sequelae (aftereffects), and death. Primary vaccination, additional doses, and booster doses are recommended for all eligible persons. Additional future recommendations for vaccine doses might be warranted as the virus and immunity levels change."
Becky DeCamillis, a physician assistant with Novant Health Infectious Disease Specialists in Winston-Salem notes that “studies have conflicting evidence as the pandemic continues to evolve, but the preponderance of data point toward vaccination providing better protection.”
And while different studies may differ in their findings public health experts have not changed their advice: vaccination and boosters are the best protection, whether you've had COVID or not.
DeCamillis tells her patients who have had COVID before that they are in the unique position to maximize their protection from reinfection by getting vaccinated, more so than someone who didn’t have COVID infection.
At news briefings, Dr. David Priest, Novant Health chief safety, quality and epidemiology officer, has explained why doctors hope that those who’ve already had COVID still get the vaccine.
If you had COVID already, isn’t that ‘natural immunity’ enough protection?
The struggle with “natural immunity” is that everyone is different, Priest said. “How old you are, what other health problems you have, what medications you take, and frankly, how big a dose of COVID you got when you were infected. Some people will get infected and have very mild symptoms, and they tend to have milder immune responses and their protection probably doesn't last very long.”
"What we know about vaccination is that it gives you a more even and predictable immune response. And so, we take the same approach as the CDC, that if you've had COVID, we encourage you to get vaccinated.”
This is our way out
Act nowWhat about antibody tests? Won’t those tell me that I have enough protection?
“I certainly understand that desire to find out if someone has protection,” Priest said. “The problem with antibody testing is: It doesn't paint the full picture of the immune response. Whether you've had COVID or you've gotten a vaccination, the antibody test just measures one part of that immune response, and that's the antibodies your body makes to fight infection.
“Other parts of your immune system are also … protecting you,” he continued. “So, having a particular antibody level doesn't necessarily guarantee you protection.”
In some cases, he said, it may provide a false sense of security.
Some antibody tests are just Yes/No tests, he explained. “And since we don't know the exact amount of antibodies that are good to have,” he said, “it doesn't really help you.”
And, a DIY antibody test leaves you having to read and interpret your own results. “I think it's tricky to do on your own,” Priest said. “You get an antibody test, then try to interpret it on your own and then try to apply it to your own situation in life. It's best to have those discussions with your physician.”
“I’ve never had my antibodies checked,” added Priest, who got two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. “And I don't think it adds to the discussion at all. And at some point, when the CDC and Food and Drug Administration say I'm a good candidate for the third dose of vaccine, I'll get that. But in the meantime, I'll wait and wear my mask” in situations that call for it.
Novant Health resources
- Nearly 100 Novant Health clinics are administering vaccines to their patients. Established patients can call their primary care clinic to see if it is offering the vaccine.
- Novant Health still has mass vaccination clinics in Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Salisbury. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit GetVaccinated.org. Walk-ins are also accepted for people who are at least 12 years old.
- Novant Health is offering third doses for immunocompromised patients in both physician clinics and mass vaccination sites.
Those seeking a COVID-19 test can visit NovantHealth.org/coronavirus for a list of COVID-19 testing locations. Please don’t go to the emergency room for a test.
