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That's a fair point, but based on the papers I've read the post-infection immune response is weaker. Positive PCR will also identify asymptomatic people, who ar

That's a fair point, but based on the papers I've read the post-infection immune response is weaker. Positive PCR will also identify asymptomatic people, who are the most likely to not develop useful antibodies.

walterbell 5y ago
> based on the papers I've read the post-infection immune response is weaker Please provide a citation for one of these papers. > Positive PCR will also identify asymptomatic people, who are the most likely to not develop useful antibodies.* UK health data showed in 2021 that Delta/Apha Covid reinfections were in the range of 0.1% and 1%. Blood serum antibodies are one small component of a very complex array of immune system defenses. If someone is asymptomatic (NOTE: near-ideal scenario for the benefit claimed by vaccines, i.e. reduction of symptoms), one scenario is that their immune system mounted a strong nasal/mucosal response in the upper respiratory system, based on exposure to prior coronaviruses. So not only did they defeat Covid the first time, but their immune system has now been upgraded even further against future Covid-and-neighboring threats.
- tehjoker 5y ago
  https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/9/21-1042_article https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/9/21-1042_article > one scenario is that their immune system mounted a strong nasal/mucosal response in the upper respiratory system, based on exposure to prior coronaviruses. Another scenario is they got a small dose and their innate immune system worked. A bigger dose would just restart the process from scratch. I'm not claiming the vaccine is a miracle cure, but it's layer #1 of a defense in depth strategy. In any case, studies have shown infection + vaccine is even better.
  - walterbell 5y ago
    > but it's layer #1 of a defense in depth strategy It's literally not: Layer 1 defense for an airborne respiratory virus is the upper respiratory system with nasal/mucosal immunity. Vaccines delivered by injection to the deltoid muscle provide blood/serum defenses, we could call that "Layer 2", defending against whatever makes it past Layer 1.

walterbell 5y ago

> based on the papers I've read the post-infection immune response is weaker Please provide a citation for one of these papers. > Positive PCR will also identify asymptomatic people, who are the most likely to not develop useful antibodies.* UK health data showed in 2021 that Delta/Apha Covid reinfections were in the range of 0.1% and 1%. Blood serum antibodies are one small component of a very complex array of immune system defenses. If someone is asymptomatic (NOTE: near-ideal scenario for the benefit claimed by vaccines, i.e. reduction of symptoms), one scenario is that their immune system mounted a strong nasal/mucosal response in the upper respiratory system, based on exposure to prior coronaviruses. So not only did they defeat Covid the first time, but their immune system has now been upgraded even further against future Covid-and-neighboring threats.

tehjoker 5y ago
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/9/21-1042_article https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/27/9/21-1042_article > one scenario is that their immune system mounted a strong nasal/mucosal response in the upper respiratory system, based on exposure to prior coronaviruses. Another scenario is they got a small dose and their innate immune system worked. A bigger dose would just restart the process from scratch. I'm not claiming the vaccine is a miracle cure, but it's layer #1 of a defense in depth strategy. In any case, studies have shown infection + vaccine is even better.
- walterbell 5y ago
  > but it's layer #1 of a defense in depth strategy It's literally not: Layer 1 defense for an airborne respiratory virus is the upper respiratory system with nasal/mucosal immunity. Vaccines delivered by injection to the deltoid muscle provide blood/serum defenses, we could call that "Layer 2", defending against whatever makes it past Layer 1.