Virus Immunity Not Long Lasting: Study

After a UK study suggested that immunity generated in recovered Covid patients may not be long-lasting, experts asserted that this points to the growing evidence that the infection could become endemic.

- Sumi Sukanya Dutta

Experts also said that the research findings imply that a vaccine, when available, may be required to be taken annually.

In the UK study, immune response of over 90 patients and healthcare workers showed that antibodies — which can destroy the virus — peaked about three weeks after the onset of symptoms and then dropped rather swiftly. While 60% of them had very potent antibody response at the height of infection, only 17% retained the same potency three months later. Also, antibody levels declined as much as 23-fold over the period. In some cases, there were no detectable antibodies at all.