According to some new data released by the CDC, the COVID-19 vaccine is able to generate stronger protection against the virus than natural immunity.
As part of a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report that examined over 7,000 people hospitalized for COVID from across nine states, the CDC concluded that those who had experienced an infection recently and were not vaccinated were 5 times more likely to catch COVID again than those who were fully vaccinated and had never contracted the virus.
CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky stated that “We now have additional evidence that reaffirms the importance of the COVID-19 vaccines, even if you have had prior infection.”
Data provided by the VISION Network proved that unvaccinated people with a previous infection going back 3 to 6 months were 4.49 times more likely to test positive for a second time than people who had received either the Pfizer or Moderna shots within that same time span.
This study was quite extensive as it was conducted across 187 different hospitals and it comes after previous beliefs that natural immunity provides patients with stronger protection than vaccines.
This belief has been widely used as a basis for the criticism of vaccination mandates but the update suggests the opposite.
In the meantime, just last month, former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb talked to CNBC, telling the outlet that even those who were infected in the past need to get vaccinated since natural immunity, while powerful in the beginning, is not likely to “last perpetually.”
The update from the CDC also comes following other guidelines issued by them regarding fully vaccinated people and the holidays.
More precisely, they refer to those vaccinated with either one of the three most popular options out there – Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson.
The CDC says that, as the holidays approach, those fully vaccinated can “participate in many of the activities that they did before the pandemic.”
Not only that but they are also free to travel domestically without the need for testing, be it before or after their trip. Quarantining upon arriving at their destination is also no longer required.
However, keep in mind that the vaccine is still not perfect protection against the delta variant, fully vaccinated people being able to get a so-called “breakthrough case” so the CDC advises them to wear a mask indoors when they know there is a high risk of transmission or if a household member is immunocompromised.