Harvard: Immunity from mild COVID-19 infection much better than vaccination

A preprint study from Harvard Medical School, Differential antibody dynamics to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination, compared the immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 among three groups of people: (i) the ones who recovered from COVID-19, (ii) the vaccinated who did not get COVID-19, and (iii) the ones who had COVID-19 and then were vaccinated.

To cut thru the chase, the study finds that the immunity developed by the COVID-19 convalescents lasts longer and is more effective against the variants than the immunity developed after vaccination.

The Harvard study was done with blood samples from adult volunteers with a history of COVID-19 recruited from March 2020 to June 2020, before the variants of concern (Alpha, Beta, Delta) showed up.

Here are the findings for each group.

COVID-19 convalescents

They are the individuals who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection and had not yet been vaccinated.

A. The Anti-Spike protein (Anti-S) and Anti-receptor binding (Anti-RBD) antibodies developed are the most stable over time. 60-80% of the antibodies are still present by ~220 days after symptom onset. These antibody levels are higher compared to the vaccinated ones.

B. The antibodies formed after infection do a better job at neutralizing the SARS-CoV-2 variants (Alpha, Beta, Delta).

C. There is a subset of COVID-19 convalescents who are antibody sustainers. Antibody sustainers maintain a high level of antibody for up to nine months after symptom duration. They had a milder and shorter symptom duration when they had their COVID-19.

D. Sustainers also have more neutralizing antibodies to the spike proteins of seasonal human coronaviruses. Neutralizing antibodies are essential because they prevent antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE).

Naïve vaccinees

Naïve vaccinees are individuals who never had COVID-19 and had received mRNA vaccination.

The research showed a more rapid decrease in their anti-S antibody levels. Their anti-S antibody levels at ∼134 days (4.46months) after the second vaccine dose. In comparison, among the unvaccinated COVID-19 convalescents, the same levels are found at ∼220-days (7.3 months) after symptom duration.
Importantly, the antibodies they produce are less effective against the variants.

COVID-19 vaccinees

COVID-19 vaccinees are people who recovered from COVID-19 and then received mRNA vaccination.

Vaccination after infection induced the greatest antibody magnitudes with enhanced longitudinal stability over time (7 months). However, higher antibody levels are not necessarily more protective. In fact, higher antibody levels in recovered COVID-19 patients are associated with worse outcomes.
Antibodies made by vaccinating COVID-19 convalescents did not provide additional protection for any variant.

Why is natural immunity much better?

During SARS-CoV-2 infection, the viruses are actively replicating. The replication process produces mutations and variations.

The immune response has to deal with all of those SARS-CoV-2 variations. Thus the immune system that develops after the COVID-19 infection results in a wider repertoire of memory B-cells that can make different types of antibodies directed towards any future variants.

Furthermore, in an infection, the other proteins of the SARS-CoV-2 are present. These are the Membrane (M-protein), Envelope (E-Protein), and Nucleocapsid or (N-protein), and eight other accessory proteins.

That leads to a more robust natural immune response since the immune system makes antibodies towards all these proteins.

In contrast, getting injected with the mRNA vaccine only introduces one variation of the spike protein, and it does not have any of the M, E, and N proteins of the SARS-CoV-2.

Thus, mRNA vaccines result in a narrower antibody response. That is why if a new variant shows up, the immune system will not have the right antibody.

What’s useful about the study?

Natural immunity gives a more robust and durable immunity as long as the COVID-19 symptoms are mild. Mild infections are good enough to give long-lasting immunity that protects against future variants.

But, how can a COVID-19 infection be mild?

Early treatment is the key. At the first signs of infection, consider the I-MASK+ Prevention & Early Outpatient Treatment Protocol for COVID-19. Early treatment prevents progression to severe disease.

mRNA vaccinated people can still be infected with COVID-19 variants. That’s because the current vaccine is designed for the Wuhan type, which the variants have surpassed in numbers.

Vaccinated people must be aware that they can still get COVID-19. Early treatment for the vaccinated prevents severe COVID-19. Once their natural immunity takes over, they can produce robust and natural immunity.

This study explains why 74% of vaccinated people got sick with COVID-19 in an outbreak in Barnstable Country, Massachusetts. You can read it here: Should we be afraid of the delta variant?

This mechanism inside this study elucidates why Asymptomatic or mild symptomatic COVID-19 elicits effective and long-lasting antibody responses in children and adolescents.

This research echoes with the Israel study, Who develops a better Immunity against SARS-CoV-2? The vaccinated or the previously infected?

I think you know the answer to that one.

Knowledge about Covid-19 is rapidly evolving. Information may update as new studies are made. Stay current by subscribing. Feel free to share and like.

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