Researchers from the Statens Serum Institut in Denmark analyzed recent COVID-19 infections, many of which involved the highly transmissible BA.2 subvariant that’s currently passing through there.
Of roughly 2 million infections reported in Denmark from November to February, researchers focused on patients who tested positive twice from 20 to 60 days apart, and experienced infections previously labeled a subvariant by genomic surveillance.
Researchers found only 187 cases of reinfection, with just 47 instances of BA.2 reinfection occurring shortly after BA.1 infection. Most of these cases were in young, unvaccinated people with mild symptoms.
“Unless there is a clearly documented medical contraindication, everyone should get vaccinated,”
Jens Rueter, MD, chief medical officer at the Jackson Laboratory, told Healthline said.
He pointed out that if you already had an infection, your immunity against current and new variants will be greatly enhanced by vaccination.
“It is very likely that vaccinations will remain very effective against severe disease,” said Rueter.
He said this means that vaccinated individuals without immunocompromising health conditions, who protect others by following physical distancing and masking rules, should be able to live relatively undisrupted lives even while these new variants arise.
