Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, researchers have been tasked with answering an important question: for those who have recovered from a coronavirus infection, do COVID-19 antibodies offer protection against future infections and for how long?
A study published on Wednesday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine suggests that those who have COVID-19 antibodies have a significantly lower risk of reinfection compared to those who do not.
Just under 12% of those tested were considered positive for antibodies to coronavirus, while about 88% were negative for them. The researchers, using follow-up data, found that less than 1% – 0.3% to be exact – of those who had antibodies to the coronavirus tested positive for a COVID-19 infection at the 90-day mark. (iStock)
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute and companies like LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics conducted an observational study, analyzing data from more than 3.2 million Americans who underwent a COVID-19 antibody test between January and August 2020.
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Just under 12% of those tested were considered positive for antibodies to coronavirus, while about 88% were negative for them. The researchers, using follow-up data, found that less than 1% – 0.3% to be exact – of those who had antibodies to the coronavirus tested positive for a COVID-19 infection at the 90-day mark.
Meanwhile, about 3% of those who did not test positive for antibodies, subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 a second time, suggesting reinfection.
The study suggests that those who have antibodies to the coronavirus may be protected from reinfection for up to 90 days, or about three months, and possibly beyond.
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“In this cohort study, unidentified data from commercial laboratories suggests that the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 is associated with a reduced risk of having subsequent positive NAAT results, which may be a substitute that represents a new infection or may represent a continued viral spread depending on the context and time. Although this risk reduction was not seen in the first 30 days after an initial antibody test, it became pronounced after 30 days and progressively strengthened over the 90 day observation period and beyond, “concluded the researchers.
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Although the study was observational and federal health experts urged everyone – including those who recovered from a coronavirus infection and may receive some natural immunity – to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, the findings reinforce previous research on this topic .
A comprehensive study published in November, for example, determined that COVID-19 antibodies can last at least six months or more, perhaps a matter of years.