Finding a way to grant immunity to the Coronavirus has been a worldwide preoccupation since the beginning of the pandemic. However, the colloquial definition of the word ‘immunity’ is somewhat different than what medical professionals mean when they use this term. This difference has caused some confusion about the efficacy of the vaccines and what protection is conferred by previously having the virus. It’s important that people understand what the medical community means when speaking about immunity so that everyone can make informed decisions about any activities that may expose them to the virus.
While people generally consider immunity to mean that they are entirely protected from something, biological immunity can mean many different things. When the body is exposed to the COVID-19 virus and produces antibodies to mount an immune response the response can be more or less successful. However, any immune response no matter how ineffectual at preventing symptoms in an individual can decrease the likelihood of virus transmission. Because the body’s response can vary so widely and have such a range of success when medical professionals discuss immunity they are referring to a wide spectrum of responses that generally decrease the spread of the virus. This is why it is still possible for people to contract COVID-19 after being vaccinated, and why practicing good hygiene, social distancing, and mask-wearing is important if you suspect that you’re infected.
It’s also possible for the immune system to “forget” how to counter a specific virus over time, which is why many healthcare professionals have expressed concern about weakened immunity. We do not yet have enough evidence to determine the efficacy of the vaccines over long periods of time, but it’s likely that if their protection lessens further booster shots will be recommended in order to ensure that people remain adequately protected from the virus.
While having immunity to the virus may not prevent someone from catching COVID-19 entirely, being vaccinated can still provide a major advantage to anyone who contracts the virus. Combined with proper masking and social distancing it can help keep you, your family, and your community safe.