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Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, researchers have been tasked with answering an important question: For those who have recovered from a coronavirus infection, do COVID-19 antibodies offer protection against future infections, and for how long?
A study published Wednesday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that those who have COVID-19 antibodies have a significantly lower risk of reinfection compared to those who do not.
Just under 12% of those tested tested positive for anti-coronavirus antibodies, while 88% tested negative for them. Researchers, using tracking data, found that less than 1% – 0.3% to be exact – of those who had antibodies to the coronavirus tested positive for COVID-19 infection after 90 days. . (iStock)
Researchers from the National Cancer Institute and companies such as LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics conducted an observational study, analyzing data from more than 3.2 million Americans who had been tested for COVID-19 antibodies between January and August 2020 .
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Just under 12% of those tested tested positive for anti-coronavirus antibodies, while 88% tested negative for them. Researchers, using tracking data, found that less than 1% – 0.3% to be exact – of those who had antibodies to the coronavirus tested positive for COVID-19 infection after 90 days. .
Meanwhile, about 3% of those who did not test positive for antibodies then tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time, suggesting reinfection.
The study suggests that those with antibodies to the coronavirus may be protected from re-infection for up to 90 days, or about three months, and possibly beyond.
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“In this cohort study, de-identified data from commercial laboratories suggests that the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies is associated with a reduced risk of having a subsequent positive NAAT result, which may be a proxy representing a new infection or may represent continued viral shedding depending on the context and timing. Although this reduction in risk was not observed in the first 30 days after a first antibody test, it was pronounced after 30 days and gradually strengthened over the 90-day observation period and beyond, ”the researchers concluded.
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While the study was observational and federal health experts urged everyone – including those who have recovered from coronavirus infection and may be offered natural immunity – to receive the COVID-19 vaccine , the results reinforce previous research on this topic.
An in-depth study published in November, for example, determined that COVID-19 antibodies could last at least six months or more, possibly a few years.
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