How long does immunity last from COVID-19 vaccines? [WE EXPLAIN]

The topic of the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine comes back like a boomerang. Most experts suggest that immunity after taking coronavirus preparations decreases over time. The latest data show that in people vaccinated a few months ago in winter, the level of protection may drop even below 50%.

1. With new vaccines such as those against COVID-19, it’s unpredictable how long immunity will last in people who are vaccinated.
2. Subsequent research sheds new light on what happens in the following months
3. The latest analyzes are not optimistic. They show that in winter some people vaccinated with Pfizer or AstraZeneka may have immunity below 50%.
4. More information can be found on the Onet homepage.

Why don’t we know how long COVID-19 vaccines will provide immunity against disease?

Vaccines against COVID-19 were developed during the coronavirus pandemic. Not even a year has passed since they began to be served to people all over the world. This means that little can be said about their long-term effectiveness at the moment.

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Contrary to the vaccines against tuberculosis, jaundice or rubella, known for years, preparations against COVID-19 are still not fully understood and it is not possible to estimate with certainty how long they protect against the disease. This means that scientists can only predict whether all or only immunocompromised people will need a third dose of the vaccine. Will I need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 on a seasonal basis, as in the case of flu? We will probably not know the answers to these decisive questions in some time. Therefore, today there are debates on vaccinating citizens, and covid certificates are not for life, but with a relatively short period of validity (currently 12 months from the date of full vaccination).

Post-Pfizer immunity. What do we know at the moment?

The Pfizer vaccine is a two-dose mRNA preparation. It was the first approved and administered COVID-19 vaccine in Poland. It was received by seniors, medics and seriously ill people. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine is also given to children from 12 years of age.

Research from July this year. confirmed that within six months of taking the second dose of Pfizer, the vaccinated could still feel safe. Within six months, the effectiveness of the preparation has not changed in terms of protection against the severe course of the disease caused by the coronavirus. It was still 97 percent. Over the following months, only the immunity to the virus – protection against infection – was to decline according to the study, it was 84 percent.

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Unfortunately, the next study showed much less optimistic results. Scientists coordinating the ZOE COVID Study analyzed data collected from 1,2 million people who had been vaccinated with Pfizer or AstraZeneka. It turned out that their immunity dropped to 88 percent after the first month. After 5-6 months, it was estimated at only 74 percent.

Do you want to test your COVID-19 immunity after vaccination? Have you been infected and want to check your antibody levels? See the COVID-19 immunity test package, which you will perform at Diagnostics network points.

Moderne resistance. How much does it protect after six months?

Moderna is the second mRNA-based preparation. As with Pfizer, it also requires a second dose. The European Medicines Agency approved the administration of the Moderny vaccine to children from 12 years of age.

The research published in August this year. it showed that the immunity after vaccination with this preparation did not decrease over the period of six months. Scientists reported that after half a year, Moderna in 93 percent. protects against infection, and 98 percent. before a severe course of the disease.

However, researchers from Oxford obtained slightly different data. According to their estimates, published in the second half of August, resistance after Moderna fell from 91 to 76 percent from February to July.

Immunity after AstraZeneka. What do we know at the moment?

The AstraZeneki vaccine was the first vector preparation approved for use in Poland. It is taken in two doses. Initially, it was mainly received by younger people. Pfizer was reserved for seniors. When the European Medicines Agency reported that a very rare side effect of AstraZeneka vaccination could be thrombosis, interest in this preparation began to decline.

For this vaccine, as early as August, there were no specific percentages of efficacy in the following months. However, as the scientists associated with the concern claimed at the time, in the case of AstraZeneka, not only antibodies (the number of which decreases over time) are important, but also T lymphocytes, and these were to remain at a high level. As a result, the manufacturers assumed that a third dose of AstraZeneki would not be required.

The analysis carried out as part of the ZOE COVID Study showed, however, that also AstraZeneka has lower protective properties over time. After a month, it provides resistance at the level of 77%, and five months later, only 67%.

As admitted by prof. Tim Spector, head of the ZOE COVID Study, in those who were vaccinated with AstraZeneka and Pfizer first (i.e. seniors and health care workers), winter protection could fall below 50%.

Resistance after Johnson & Johnson. Latest data

Johnson & Johnson was the last COVID-19 preparation approved for use in Poland. It was delivered to our country at the end of April. It was mainly received by young people. Johnson & Johnson is a vector formulation. It is the only one that requires only one dose.

Data from the beginning of July this year. indicate that, eight months after vaccination with Johnson & Johnson, both antibody and T-cell levels remain high. At the moment, it is not known whether it will be necessary to administer a booster dose of this preparation.

Also read:

1. A month ago, Great Britain lifted the restrictions. What happened next? An important lesson
2. How long do vaccines protect? Disturbing research results
3. Third dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Where, for whom and what about Poland?
4. Increases in infections in Israel. “We thought we won the war”
5. COVID-19 symptoms – what are the most common symptoms now?

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