University of Minnesota researchers find those who have had COVID get huge immune boost from vaccine

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – New data is available on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in those who have already been infected, and this cutting-edge research comes from Minnesota.

More than 1,000 Minnesotans have tested positive for the virus, leaving some wondering whether those with natural immunity should actually get the vaccine. Turns out the answer to that question was discovered on the University of Minnesota campus. WCCO spoke with immunologist Dr Marc Jenkins.

“We wanted to know how the immunity you get from the vaccine compares to the type of immunity you get from the infection itself,” Jenkins said.

And the results surprised the world-renowned researcher. People who have not had COVID-19 and who receive Moderna or Pfizer vaccines have strong protection against the virus, around 100 to 150 memory B cells per million. But people who have had COVID-19 get six times that protection from the first dose of the vaccine, or around 600 B memory cells.

“A lot of them probably don’t need that second shot, but we found that about 25% of them benefited from it,” Jenkins said. “And because there are so few side effects, why not get it.”

As for those who have had COVID-19 and think natural immunity is sufficient, he says to think again.

“You might not be doing well… and it will be a serious insurance policy to give you solid protection,” he said. “Get vaccinated whether or not you have had the infection before.”

Dr Jenkins also says those who have had COVID-19 and are fully vaccinated with Moderna or Pfizer may have so much protection that they won’t need a booster. The study did not include the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.