The world today is scrambling to search for a cure for the novel coronavirus. Last month, the concept of acquiring immunity via coronavirus antibody became viral. According to the concept, if a person infected with coronavirus develops an antibody against it, then the antibody will protect the individual from further infections.
However, a London research study claims that the immunity due to the coronavirus antibody in an individual will last only for a few months. Scientists at King George’s College, London, analyzed the immune response of 90 patients and healthcare professionals after the coronavirus infection. The team noticed that the immune response in patients peaked after 3 weeks of developing symptoms and then declined.
Furthermore, the blood tests suggest that 60% people develop an immune response at the peak of coronavirus infection. However, only 17% of these patients retain this immune response 3 months into the infection. The results indicate that the level of antibodies in coronavirus patients falls up to 23 times a few months after the infection and in some patients it is undetectable.
Dr. Katie Doores, lead author of the study says “People are producing a reasonable antibody response to the virus, but its waning over a short period of time and depending on how high your peak is, that determines how long the antibodies are staying around.”
Our body has several peculiar ways to fight the coronavirus. But the body’s antibody defences strategy doesn’t make the cut for protecting us from virus forever.
Moreover, the scientists at King George’s College, London, say that their study will have implications on the trials of coronavirus vaccines and drugs. This means that a vaccine against the virus will not protect us forever. It will only be a short-term solution.
That being said, further research is definitely required on this matter. And scientists at King George’s College, London are definitely in for the challenge!