CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Some people who received the COVID-19 vaccine may not need a booster shot later this year, doctors said, citing new research that indicates natural immunity could last years.
However, this doesn't apply to everyone, as patients who took the vaccine in addition to recovering from COVID-19 are at the greatest chance of having this stronger immunity.
Researchers found that people who recovered from COVID-19, then were vaccinated, could have long-lasting immunity, meaning they probably won't need booster shots.
Unfortunately, the same is not true for people who just had the vaccine or people who had COVID-19 but haven't taken the shot.
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The problem with viruses is they are always changing, and those variants can mess everything up, especially when it comes to immunity. But new research found the immune response created by the combination of a previous infection and the vaccine is so strong that it can fight variants of the virus.
If you didn't have COVID-19 and only got the shot, you will probably need to get a booster shot sometime down the road.
Contact Ruby Durham at rdurham@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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