Can I Immunize with COVID-19?

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the ways countries have been considering relaxing lockdown restrictions is to issue an “immunity passport.”

The idea is that sick people can develop antibodies, thereby creating immunity and returning to work.

It’s an idea conceived in many countries, including Britain and Germany struggling with pandemics. People are assuming that they are immune after being infected with the virus.

But are you not affected by COVID-19?

Professor David Hayman, an infectious disease specialist based in London Hygiene Tropics and former Deputy Deputy Director of the World Health Organization (WHO), warned against the idea that people are immune and Increase power. “

He told Newsweek: “For other viruses, immunity develops in the short term and may appear to be protected in some cold seasons, but in the next season it is infected with the same virus.”

For example, vulnerable people are advised to be vaccinated against influenza every year to counteract the mutations in the flu. Although there is no current way to get completely immune from influenza, existing antibodies can create partial protection or alleviate symptoms.

Hyman also cautioned that the development of immunity means the complete recovery of people with the virus.

He said: “You may actually have an enhanced antibody response that causes harm to the body.

“It really provokes immunity, and if so, for how long? And is that immunity somehow unanticipated immunity and has some side effects?

“That’s why the World Health Organization recommends that people don’t use their immune status because they say it’s safe to return to work because the immune status isn’t clear.”

The WHO is very clear on how to look at an immunity passport.

“There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from Covid-19 and have antibodies are protected from secondary infections,” said a statement on April 25.

“At this point in the pandemic, there is not enough evidence of the effectiveness of antibody-mediated immunity to ensure the accuracy of an” immune passport “or” risk-free certificate “. “

Heymann also said it is still unclear whether the current tests showing whether someone has developed an antibody against COVID-19 are accurate.

He said: “The available tests are not yet believed to be known for their sensitivity and specificity, whether they are sensitive enough to pick up all infections, and It has been tested to see if it is not sufficiently unique. Pick up something like COVID-19, as well as other coronaviruses. “

Professor Hayman also highlighted a study in China that showed that people with mild infections “do not produce enough antibodies to be detected by the type of tests they perform.” It was

He said: “Because we don’t have a good understanding of antibodies and the protection they offer, this is what people calling immune passports can use to return to work. I can do it.”

Professor Hyman also said immunity does not guarantee that you were not a carrier of the virus in your nose.

“For example, in meningitis, it is transmitted from the nose through coughing and sneezing, but people are immune to the bacterium and can carry it to the nose and infect others. .

“The same is true for polio. If you are immune to polio, you can carry the virus that causes polio in your gut, even if you are not infected.

With the exception of the world’s poorest and marginalized communities, polio was effectively eradicated after successful vaccination.

However, the coronavirus pandemic is not “solved”.

Professor Heimann also looked at how the MERS coronavirus, which affects camels, is delivered to the nasal passages of immune camels.

“We have a precedent for coronaviruses in the animal kingdom and the same is happening in humans, but I’m not sure yet.”

Dr. Mohammed Abbas Khaki also warned against the use of antibody tests.

“Everyone thinks the new antibody tests that are arriving are really powerful and important, but there are still problems with the tests we have to consider.

“Tests tell you if they did (COVID-19), but they are not always immune.”

Dr Larisa Corda, who works at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19 in the intensive care unit, also warned people who believe they are immune to give false relief.

“Antibody tests are actually a measure of whether they were previously infected with the virus, and whether they theoretically developed immunity to it by developing antibodies in response to the first antigen trigger from COVID-19. .

“Thus development takes a bit longer, but in theory, these antibodies could last weeks or months in serum.

“What’s not yet proven is that even if you get an antibody, you’re always immune to COVID-19.”

Dr. Korda said people may be given the false reassurance that they may be immune, and they do not have to follow social distance guidelines, which can cause a second wave of infection.