Effective the immune response of COVID-19 in Puerto Rico

Local study finds high protection, both by natural infection and through vaccination, against the delta variant.

The immune response to COVID-19 of a person naturally infected with this virus is as robust as that of a fully immunized person. This is one of the findings of a study carried out by a group of researchers from the Medical Sciences Campus (RCM) of the University of Puerto Rico on the characteristics of the immune response to the virus in Puerto Rico.

"Do people who get infected count in the statistics? Can they enter the places or not? We do not see them in statistics, but we find that (infected with the virus) they develop an immunity similar or better to the vaccine. This is logical and expected because natural immunity is an excellent immune response ”, said Dr. Carlos Sariol, director of the Comparative Medicine Unit at RCM.

The researcher suggested that these people could be given a “recover-id” credential that validates that they were infected and recovered from the virus, as they help the concept of herd immunity.

This study began in March of last year and originally recruited more than 300 adults. Initially, people were included who after recovering from the virus went to donate convalescent plasma in various blood banks in the country. Others entered voluntarily. Of the total recruited, about 60 were followed.

One of the points studied was how long the immune response to the virus lasts naturally and with vaccination.

According to Sariol, the study found that vaccinates who have not previously been infected with the virus reach the same level of natural immunity protection when they receive two doses of the vaccine.

“If those infected (previously with the virus) are vaccinated, with one dose they reach the highest levels of the immune response. A single dose in those cases is enough, "he said, meanwhile.

With doctors Ana Espino and Petraleigh Pantoja (RCM professors and researchers), the study also found that antibodies to the virus last longer than anticipated.

“Even when the levels of antibodies begin to decline, the ability to neutralize the virus remains longer. So if your antibodies don't detect (the virus) don't worry. That does not mean that I do not have the defense, "said Sariol.

They also found that the best immune response due to natural infection or vaccination is against the Delta variant, the predominant one on the island. Against the Epsilon and Gamma variants, meanwhile, not as much immunity was observed.

Sariol reported that this study will continue to study, among other things, the third dose of the vaccine. Those interested in participating can call 787-985-9911.