Should Someone With History Of COVID-19 Infection Get Vaccinated?

The success of the COVID-19 vaccine development by scientists is the first step towards restoring society from the adverse effects of the pandemic. In Malaysia, the first target of the immunization program COVID-19 is the health care workers, followed by those who have a high-risk chronic disease. After that, individuals aged 18 and above will get the chance of COVID-19 vaccination. However, what about people who have a history of COVID-19 infection? Should people who recovered from COVID-19 get vaccinated? Get more info through this article. 

Should People Who Have a History of COVID-19 Infection Get Vaccinated?

The answer is yes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in a CDC meeting in December 2020, a statement that “vaccination in people who have previously been infected with COVID-19” was presented. According to the source, vaccination should be given to the community regardless of the history of COVID-19 infection with symptoms or not. Besides, data from phase 2/3 clinical trials indicate that vaccination is safe and likely effective in people who have already had COVID-19 infection. 

• Query About Natural Antibodies

In theory, it is true that if a person has been exposed to an infection, their immune system produces natural antibodies. They are protein substances that have the potential to fight and prevent the same pathogen or virus from infecting the body in the future. However, the level of immunity or antibodies is different for each individual who has been infected with the COVID-19 virus. Health experts do not yet know if there is a possibility that humans will become immune to COVID-19 after infection. Although a large number of COVID-19 patients who have recovered have antibodies to the virus. However, the duration of the natural antibody survives is still a question mark and at the same time, many reports state that the immunity does not last long and those who have been infected still have the potential to be re-infected. Therefore, inoculating people who have a history of COVID-19 infection is vital to both their safety and those around them. 

Will There Be Side Effects Of The Vaccine On People With Previous COVID-19 Infection?

A study found that former COVID-19 patients tend to have a higher antibody response after the first dose of vaccine compared to two doses of vaccine in individuals who had never been infected. The study reported in February 2021 involved a molecular biologist who has now recovered after being infected with COVID-19 at the end of March 2020, about a week after she and her colleagues had to close their lab at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York. She explained that the symptoms she suffered from COVID-19 infection such as severe headaches, high fever and body aches until she could not move were not an experience she wanted to repeat. Therefore, when she was eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in the first quarter of 2021, she took the injection without further delay. Two days after vaccination, she experienced the same symptoms of headache and body aches that felt very familiar like when she had COVID-19. However, she recovered quickly from the symptoms but her body’s intense response to the jab caught her by surprise.

In a study conducted by the Icahn School of Medicine in Mount Sinai, researchers found that people who had previously been infected with the COVID-19 virus reported fatigue, headache, chills, fever, as well as muscle and joint pain after the first dose injection more frequently than did those who had never been infected. Former COVID-19 patients also had significantly higher antibody levels after the first and second doses of the vaccine. However, the study still needs further findings from other studies as well as the opinions of different experts. 

There are also several reports in Birmingham, about the variety of COVID-19 side effects after both doses of injection, with many of the side effects being experienced after the second dose. The representative of the health state department explained that the side effects experienced after the COVID-19 vaccine indicated that the vaccine is working. However, he said it was difficult to tell who would have side effects and who would not. This is because side effects are just really related to how a person’s immune system responds. Most people who have already had the jab experienced a sore arm. Some studies show that a very large percentage, which is 70-80%, will experience headaches and a small number of individuals will experience muscle pain. However, he said that the previous history of COVID-19 did not change your chances of experiencing side effects or not.

The vaccination is expected to improve antibody resistance to the virus. The second dose requirement for infected individuals is still under study. Some immunologists are leaning towards the opinion that individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 infection may only need one shot of the vaccine. However, the study is still in the process of being reviewed and has yet to be evaluated by some other experts. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, this vaccine should be offered to persons who have been infected with COVID-19, however, as there are few things still under study, it is best not to have any baseless speculation done or being spread. Authorities will inform further action about the vaccination for this group so that all parties can be protected without any harm. 

​Boost your immune system and have a healthy life!​