Hiqa report shows that people can get reinfected with Coronavirus

DUBLIN: Hiqa’s latest report reveals that COVID-19 is more likely to return in some people who were once infected. It means that new COVID-19 vaccines would require booster shots.

On average, a person who has recovered from the virus will be immunised for only two to six months. Dr. Mairin Ryan of the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) said the virus had re-infected at least 14 patients worldwide.

She said the infections were confirmed by genetic evidence that the first and second infections were caused by different strains.

“Infection prevention and control, isolation and contact tracing considerations are not likely to differ for cases of reinfection compared with the first infection.”

“Therefore, all public health advice, including hygiene and physical distancing, should apply to those who have recovered from infection as immunity from reinfection cannot be assumed,” Dr. Ryan said.

The possibility of COVID coming back should be anticipated. In addition to the new COVID-19 vaccines, top-up vaccinations are also needed, the report said.

Dr. Ryan said that evidence from 22 studies suggests that IgG antibody levels, the most common antibody in the blood, persist for two to six months after infection.