A study shows that immunity against covid reduces infections to third parties

2023-09-12 17:10:24

Immunization against covid-19whether through vaccination or infection, not only reduces the chances of catching the coronavirusbut also of transmit it to third partiesindicated today a study by the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the main hospital complex in the city.

Research by UNIGE and the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG) indicates that one in three people exposed to the SARS-CoV2 coronavirus that causes covid-19 becomes infected with the disease, but that in immunization case (due to vaccine, infection or combination of both) is rate drops to one in ten.

The study also indicates that immunity disappears after a few monthsand that the protection achieved through natural infection of the disease is in principle stronger, but less durable than that obtained through vaccination, and carries a greater risk of developing serious symptoms.

The study, published in the specialized journal Nature Communications, analyzed more than 50,000 cases of covid-19 and 110,000 contacts of patients registered in Geneva between 2020 and 2022 with the aim of evaluate secondary attack rate (spread from a sick person to their contacts) of the SARS-CoV2 virus.

More immunity, less infection

The Immunity dramatically reduces the number of contacts that become infectedthe study stressed, warning that this effect disappeared within months in all cases.

The study showed little impact on the results of factors such as age, sex, socioeconomic status or obesity of the patients and contacts studied.

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Given the recent increase in cases, experts recommend bet for the moment on vaccines as a tool to limit contagion, but also opt for other “simple and cheap” public health measures in the event of a new wave, particularly in the case of health professionals and individuals who are very elderly or with fragile health conditions.

“The ventilation of homes, offices and classrooms and the use of masks should be considered if we want to effectively reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2,” the study authors conclude.