Pfizer Immunity Not Permanent? Experts Release a Warning

Prattiba JaiSri

3 years ago

Reports are now confirming that people’s immunity against the COVID-19 virus will gradually fade away over time, but should people worry?

Vaccines have been the main defense against the coronavirus strain. As of today, around 5,273,666 or 76.5% of the American population are vaccinated.

But experts have said that despite the strong immune response that reduces the risk of severe disease by more than 90% because of two doses of the vaccine, its projected protection against milder and asymptomatic infections will reduce over time.

Pfizer has recently asked for and received US Food and Drug Administration authorization to add boosters for many people who are six months out from vaccination.

Does this strengthen or lengthen vaccine immunity?

Experts tell the public to not panic. “My main message is, don’t panic. You’re going to be okay.” Dr. Ann Falsey, a specialist in viral respiratory diseases at the University of Rochester School of Medicine said to CNN. She said that despite growing confirmation on booster shots, the general public doesn’t need to storm the supplies for them.

“Probably it’s going to be true of any of the vaccines, not just Pfizer — we’ll benefit from boosting immunity. That’s not the same thing as saying it’s critically necessary,” she said.

“The vaccines are all standing up pretty well — Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson — for severe disease. Now, that’s not to say that we might not eventually get to a point where we really need people to get boosters to prevent more severe illness. But, really, the majority of the breakthrough infections are colds, maybe flu-like illness — not the scary illnesses that we were facing before.”

More studies have been conducted on the efficacy of vaccines and the immunity they provide.

One study from Israel covered 4,800 health care workers and showed antibody levels wane rapidly after two doses of vaccine, “especially among men, among persons 65 years of age or older, and among persons with immunosuppression.”

A second study from Qatar showed protection from the Pfizer vaccine peaked in the first month after vaccination and then began to wane.

However, Dr. Falsey suggests that people still get the vaccine as soon as they can. She also reminds people to not rely on “natural immunity” against the virus.

“I think that depending on your own natural immunity because you feel like you’re a strong person is like playing Russian roulette,” the doctor said. “I would never depend only on my natural immunity to weather this virus.”

Keep up with more vaccine news here with us at the East County Gazette.