Natural Infection Lowers Risk of Hospitalisation or Death by 88% for at Least 10 Months: Lancet Study

February 18, 2023

A recent study published in The Lancet medical journal suggests that natural infection with COVID-19 provides significant protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death for at least 10 months after the initial infection. The study, which was conducted in Israel, analyzed data from more than 800,000 individuals who were tested for COVID-19 between June 2020 and January 2021. Of these, approximately 13% had tested positive for the virus during the first wave of the pandemic. Researchers found that those who had been infected with COVID-19 were significantly less likely to be reinfected with the virus during the second wave of the pandemic compared to those who had not been previously infected. Specifically, individuals with prior infection had an 84% lower risk of becoming reinfected with COVID-19 compared to those who had never been infected. Moreover, the study revealed that individuals with natural infection had an 88% lower risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 during the second wave of the pandemic compared to those who had never been infected. This protection persisted for at least 10 months after the initial infection.

A recent study published in The Lancet shows that natural immunity acquired from prior infection is highly effective in protecting against severe disease and death from COVID-19.

The study, which was conducted in Israel, analyzed data from more than 800,000 individuals who were tested for COVID-19 between June 2020 and January 2021. Of these, approximately 13% had tested positive for the virus during the first wave of the pandemic.

Researchers found that those who had been infected with COVID-19 were significantly less likely to be reinfected with the virus during the second wave of the pandemic compared to those who had not been previously infected. Specifically, individuals with prior infection had an 84% lower risk of becoming reinfected with COVID-19 compared to those who had never been infected.

Moreover, the study revealed that individuals with natural infection had an 88% lower risk of hospitalization and death due to COVID-19 during the second wave of the pandemic compared to those who had never been infected. This protection persisted for at least 10 months after the initial infection.

The findings suggest that natural immunity acquired from prior infection is highly effective in protecting against severe disease and death from COVID-19. While vaccination remains an important tool in the fight against the pandemic, these results emphasize the importance of considering natural immunity in public health policies and vaccination strategies.

It is worth noting that the study has some limitations. For example, the study only looked at one population in one country, and it is unclear how applicable these findings are to other populations and settings. Additionally, the study did not account for variations in the severity of initial infections, which could impact the strength and duration of natural immunity.

Overall, however, the study provides important insights into the role of natural immunity in the fight against COVID-19 and underscores the need for further research in this area.