Researchers at Northwestern University’s Institute for Policy Research say a new study has found that one dose of COVID-19 vaccines with two doses does not provide adequate protection against the virus in individuals who have previously had mild or asymptomatic cases of the disease, which means those individuals are still advised to receive both doses of the vaccine.
According to a press release from the researchers, the study had examined whether individuals who had previous mild or asymptomatic cases of the coronavirus could achieve high levels of immunity with just one dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, rather than the recommended two doses. . .
The study did not examine the differences between mild COVID cases and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in terms of the robustness of the immune response.
Researchers say the study demonstrates the importance of getting coronavirus vaccines, where the treatments are the best way to achieve herd immunity and make progress in ending the pandemic.
“Our data suggests that the path to herd immunity really is through vaccination,” said Professor Thomas McDade, who was one of the individuals who helped set up the study.
The study found that one dose “provides insufficient protection for most people with mild or asymptomatic cases of COVID-19” and that those individuals should still receive both doses of treatment.
With more pop-up vaccination clinics in Illinois, health officials hope to make more progress in administering doses and lowering the number of cases. Jen DeSalvo reports from NBC 5.
Nearly 10,000 people in the Chicagoland area took part in the study, according to the press release. The researchers used two different types of antibody tests for the study, one providing an accurate measure of previous coronavirus exposure to help identify those who had less severe COVID cases, and the other to measure the level of protective immunity. against the virus.
The study found that mild or asymptomatic cases of COVID “generate lower levels of protective immunity” than those generated by both doses of the coronavirus vaccine.
“These mild cases and asymptomatic cases don’t provide much protection, and that will slow progress towards herd immunity (without vaccine),” McDade said.
Individuals who survived more severe cases, including those requiring hospitalization, generated a stronger immune response with one dose, according to researchers.
“We find that the people who have had severe cases of COVID, clinically confirmed, respond to the first dose of vaccine with a very strong antiviral response and, again, a lot of protective immunity,” McDade said.
Researchers say getting both doses of COVID vaccine is the best way to protect against the virus itself, and more serious consequences in those who contract the virus, and the study is more evidence of those arguments.
“It’s really important that people achieve the highest level of protection that they can only get from both doses of the vaccine for the vast majority of people,” McDade said.