The results of a new study suggest that people who have recovered from the coronavirus may need only one dose of vaccine to develop the same degree of immunity as those who receive two doses.
Like The New York Times reports, Florian Krammer, author of the study and virologist at the Icahn School of Medicine on Mount Sinai, said he believed an injection would be sufficient for people who have already contracted and recovered from COVID-19.
“This would also save individuals from unnecessary pain when receiving the second dose and release additional doses of vaccine,” said Krammer.
Krammer’s study found that coronavirus survivors had much higher levels of antibodies after receiving two doses of the vaccine, compared with those who did not contract COVID-19. The study of 231 vaccinated people included 83 who contracted the virus.
The study also found that people who already had the coronavirus were more likely to experience unpleasant symptoms, such as headaches, muscle aches and chills after receiving the first dose of the vaccine.
While some scientists agree with Krammer’s claim, others are not convinced, notes the Times.
The director of the University of Pennsylvania Institute of Immunology, E. John Wherry, told the newspaper that he would like to see data that suggests that the antibodies observed in the study actually prevented the coronavirus from replicating.
“Just because an antibody binds to a part of the virus does not mean it will protect you from being infected,” said Wherry.
Some health officials argued that the United States should prioritize giving the first injection of the vaccine in as many arms as possible.
But Anthony Fauci
Anthony FauciBloomberg: More Americans received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine than tested positive. Biden officials defend the two-dose strategy amid fears of variants. Watch live: White House coronavirus response team holds briefing MORE, the country’s leading infectious disease specialist, said a second dose should be prioritized.
“The first priority will always be to make sure that the people who received the first doses receive the second dose,” said Fauci.
Biden’s administration said two doses of the vaccine should be administered, although it also urged health professionals not to be overly cautious about keeping second doses of the vaccine in reserve.