People who have had an infection in addition to a vaccination have higher antibodies than people who have had either one. The RIVM research also shows that antibodies of the IgA type are important for protection against infections. These antibodies were mainly found in people who have previously had a corona infection.
Antibodies after vaccination or infection
Antibodies are produced after a vaccination or infection. In both cases they protect against the coronavirus. Immunity often protects better against serious illness due to corona than against infection. To protect against becoming infected, better protection by the immune system is needed at the location in the body where the virus infects. This generally occurs everywhere via the upper respiratory tract and that is why the RIVM investigated the local immunity, mucosal, there.
If someone with this immunity becomes infected with the coronavirus in the upper respiratory tract, the virus can be combatted more quickly. The immune system recognizes the virus and can clear it. This stops the infection from developing. And because the virus is cleared more quickly, immunity also ensures less transmission between people.
Spike protein coronavirus
The coronavirus has spike proteins. Some of it can bind to a protein on the cells of the respiratory tract, allowing the virus to infect people. Local antibodies can prevent this from binding, say RIVM researchers. This protects them against infection with corona. People with more of these local antibodies also become infected less often.
By: National Healthcare Guide / Johanne Levinsky
