NEW research shows that the antibodies that develop from Covid-19 remain in the body for at least 8 months. Getty Images For those who recover from Covid-19, immunity to the virus can last at least 8 months and maybe longer, research shows.
Immunity can occur naturally after developing Covid-19 or from getting the Covid-19 vaccination.
Because the length of immunity after developing Covid-19 or getting the vaccine is unknown, practicing physical or social distancing and wearing a mask need to continue to stop the spread.
Whether you’ve recovered from Covid-19, received the vaccine, or neither, understanding immunity and how long it lasts can help give you important insight into how you can interact safely with others during the pandemic.
There are two types of immunity: natural and vaccine-induced. How natural immunity works after Covid-19 develops After a person acquires a virus, the immune system retains a memory of it.
The National Institutes of HealthTrusted Source explains, “Immune cells and proteins that circulate in the body can recognize and kill the pathogen if it’s encountered again, protecting against disease and reducing illness severity.”
Antibodies are proteins that circulate in the blood and recognize foreign substances like viruses, and neutralizes them.
People who recover from Covid-19 have been found to have all four of these components. However, specifics about what this means for the immune response and how long immunity lasts are not clear.
According to Lauren Rodda, PhD, a senior postdoctoral fellow in immunology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, we don’t know for certain if people are immune to reinfection simply because not enough studies have been done yet.
“This would require tracking the re-exposure of a significant number of people and determining if they get sick,” Rodda told Healthline.
Knowledge in this area continues to grow, however, as new studies are conducted.
Most recently, a study published in the journal Science has found that immunity can last for as long as 8 months.
