Normally antibodies help neutralize and protect against viral infections. Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) is a phenomenon in which antibodies actually enha

Normally antibodies help neutralize and protect against viral infections. Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) is a phenomenon in which antibodies actually enhance the ability of the virus to infect and replicate. This can cause more severe symptoms and poor health outcomes. In can happen to anyone infected with the virus, regardless of vaccination or naturally acquired immunity. Historically some vaccine candidates that targeted coronaviruses, RSV virus and Dengue virus elicited vaccine associated ADE. Naturally there has been some concern that current COVID-19 vaccines will result in ADE. So far the scientific literature has not established any consensus that the risk of ADE outweighs the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines. In fact, much of the existing literature supports the idea that the protective effects of vaccination or natural infection will outweigh the risks of ADE. Still in rare cases some individuals will be severely impacted by ADE, so for now it is something to at least be aware of.