Immunity to COVID-19: what are the levels of antibodies and if those vaccinated can get sick and infect others



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Even after the first shot, there is less chance that it will become severe.

It is published on the website of the Ministry of Health after which the Opportunity Passport becomes valid after the corresponding vaccination. Those who have had a week after the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, as well as those who have been waiting a month after Johnson & Johnson, and finally those who have had a dose of Astra Zeneca 4 weeks, but not more than 12 weeks can have it. , and immediately after the second dose of Astra Zeneca.

But what do we really know about the so-called safe period after COVID-19 vaccination? Professor S. Čaplinskas, speaking about the immunity that develops after vaccines, recalled what the results of various studies showed. It turns out that people who received the first dose of the vaccine were less likely to have a severe form of COVID-19. The specialist also explained that when a person is vaccinated against the coronavirus, the body’s immune cells increase about 10 times.

The infectious disease specialist also answered the question whether the vaccine actually protects not only the vaccinated person from severe forms of the disease, but also completely stops the spread of the virus.

“Studies have shown that if people who have already been vaccinated are exposed to the coronavirus, they have 75 to 94 percent fewer positive PCR results. This means that the virus does not integrate into the body, it is shed, it does not continue to multiply and it does not infect others ”, says S. Čaplinskas.

Associative photo.

© Shutterstock

Associative photo.

The specialist also presented another study. Three groups of subjects were formed, each with 8,000 employees. It was found that where employees were not vaccinated, 2.6 percent were infected, where only a portion of employees were vaccinated, 1.6 percent were infected, and where all were vaccinated, only 0.04 percent were infected.

“It is an example that in an environment where most people are vaccinated, the virus continues to spread and vaccinated people protect others,” said the specialist.

Both Antibodies and Memory Cells Are Important

There are stories in society that very different amounts of antibodies are formed in different people: some enjoy having many, while others, on the contrary, have nothing to brag about. Why is this so, and should those with the fewest antibodies be alarmed?

First of all, Professor S. Čaplinskas draws attention to antibody tests, of which there are more than 460 approved in Europe. Furthermore, says the interlocutor, the tests can be both quantitative and qualitative. The latter will tell you if there are antibodies and the others will tell you what the antibody titer is.

The professor also recognizes that the amount of antibodies in different organisms can vary. This can be determined by the course of the disease and the amount of virus acquired at the time of infection.

“I have a specific example that illustrates the different amounts of antibodies in different people. I have the data of a series of members of the Seimas, all were tested in the same laboratory with the same system and practically at the same time. The data are comparable: at least 45 units of antibodies were found, the majority – 3.5 thousand. units ”, says the teacher.

And how long do the antibodies stay in the body? Are they the only ones in the human body responsible for dealing with the virus? Professor S. Čaplinskas recalls that the immune system is a complex mechanism in which not only antibodies are formed, but also memory cells. If enough of these cells are formed, a person can get sick, but the form of the disease will not be serious.

Prof.  Dr. Saulius Čaplinskas

© DELFI / Domantas Pipas

Prof. Dr. Saulius Čaplinskas

“In other words,” explains S. Čaplinskas, “if the antibodies come into contact with the virus, the person will not get sick.” If there are not enough antibodies, the memory cells will “turn on” and the person will develop a mild or asymptomatic form of the disease. “

The interlocutor adds that the antibody titer formed remains for about 76 days and then begins to decrease.

We will not prevent virus activation in the fall

It is interesting to know what situation of the coronavirus in the country S. Čaplinskas predicts for next summer and autumn. Will we return to strict restrictions now?

According to the specialist, seasonality is maintained, so in autumn we will have an increase in the number of new cases of the disease. It is important that the public, and especially health institutions, are prepared for this. On the other hand, since most older people will be vaccinated after gaining immunity, there shouldn’t be such a heavy burden on the healthcare system.

“As for the elderly, we see that there is still that layer of elderly people who are not vaccinated. But we must not be naive, because it was predicted that if there is not enough clear communication, leadership in the case of vaccination, the scope of vaccination will weaken, which is what we are seeing now, ”the professor shares. opinion.

When asked if he thinks the quarantine will hit the public again in the fall, Chaplinks says the quarantine isn’t worth thinking about; it is better to think about preventive measures, especially vaccination, as well as not keeping distances and wearing masks.

www.DELFI.lt



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