I have had covid, am i unreasonble to not get the vaccine

[Stigofthedump40]

Surely i have antibodies now, and i had a very very mild case. I do not want the vaccine. Do you think i am being unreasonable. I am not scared to have another bout as i have had worse colds? I do not know any vulnerable people and would isolate as soon as i had symptoms.. surely this is ok no?

Really?

What are the scientific experts saying? Are they saying ‘Everyone should get vaccinated’ or are they saying ‘Everyone should get vaccinated but don’t worry about it if you’ve had Covid’
And you need to look up the meaning of ‘asymptomatic’

The evidence so far indicates that if you have a mild case your immunity is likely to diminish pretty quickly (sometimes within 2 or 3 months). Immunity from vaccines seems to be much longer lasting.
Those who have had mild cases are not guaranteed to have a mild case next time, either. Some of your response may depend on how heavy a dose of the virus you care into contact with when you were infected and your general state of health at the time. So a more intense exposure when you’re run down toward the end of the winter could make in theory you a lot sicker. There have also been reports of people getting long COVID after their second illness with the virus.
The good news is that getting the vaccine after having COVID produces a really good immune response, so if you do decide to go ahead and get vaccinated now you and those around you will be really well protected. It’s your choice, but the evidence indicates vaccination is still much the best option.

@RoseAndGeranium

The evidence so far indicates that if you have a mild case your immunity is likely to diminish pretty quickly (sometimes within 2 or 3 months). Immunity from vaccines seems to be much longer lasting. Those who have had mild cases are not guaranteed to have a mild case next time, either. Some of your response may depend on how heavy a dose of the virus you care into contact with when you were infected and your general state of health at the time. So a more intense exposure when you’re run down toward the end of the winter could make in theory you a lot sicker. There have also been reports of people getting long COVID after their second illness with the virus. The good news is that getting the vaccine after having COVID produces a really good immune response, so if you do decide to go ahead and get vaccinated now you and those around you will be really well protected. It’s your choice, but the evidence indicates vaccination is still much the best option.

Thank you, this is the information i was looking for.

I had COVID quite badly (not hospitalised but was ill for weeks) in March 2020. Had antibodies in July, gone by September. Got it a second time (symptomatic but mildly) in Dec 2020. Had no antibodies 6 weeks later. No one at the hospital (I am under the long COVID clinic) could tell me how typical this is, all they could say was that it was "unexpected".

Maybe I have a weird immune system - but then maybe you do to. Ou wont know til you catch it again. I'd suggest you get vaccinated.

I do not know any vulnerable people - and presumably you never get on a bus or train or go into a shop or other building with people in it? If you literally stay away from the whole of the rest of the human race, many, many of whom will be vulnerable and also at the same time your supermarket checkout person, fellow bus passenger, doctor, nurse, waiter, child who you say hello to etc - then please knock yourself out and feel free to not get jabbed. However, if you live a normal life and come into contact with the rest of us, please get the jab. For you, for me, for them, for all of us. Thank you.

Did you particularly enjoy having Covid? Would you like it again?

I have had Covid twice. Once pretty bad (developed pneumonia) the other time it was really mild. I am double jabbed (post infections) there’s no way I’d not have it. We’ve all got to do our bit to get on top of this. Immunity wanes very quickly as a pp has said. It is also mutating quicker than they deduced. The vaccine seems to offer protection from severe symptoms even if someone who has been vaccinated is infected by a mutation it doesn’t fully protect against. I would definitely recommend you still go ahead and have it.

Info here

The British Society for Immunology have an excellent infographic on natural infection compared to vaccination.

I'm not sure.
I've just had an NHS antibody test which says that I have antibodies, and probably had Covid within the last 6 months. I don't think I have had it that recently.
I actually had Covid 17 months ago, and am double vaccinated, 2nd one in April. I've had negative lateral flow tests in June and July, and no symptoms. I think the antibody test refers to antibodies from the illness, not the vaccines, and if that is the case, then I've still got antibodies from 17 months ago ( had Covid for a month, but not bad as in breathing not affected).
I'm giving my history here as I think the current NHS test doesn't even look at antigens from the vaccine ( but am happy to be put right if anyone knows different.

I have had covid twice. First time in March 2020 was rough but recovered in about 5 days. Had it again in December and I could barely crawl to the toilet. 8 months later I am still lethargic and only got my sense of smell back completely in June. I have only just been able to take up exercise again and it’s very slow. Think of the other people who can’t be vaccinated and need others to have immunity to keep them safe.

@heldinadream

I do not know any vulnerable people - and presumably you never get on a bus or train or go into a shop or other building with people in it? If you literally stay away from the whole of the rest of the human race, many, many of whom will be vulnerable and also at the same time your supermarket checkout person, fellow bus passenger, doctor, nurse, waiter, child who you say hello to etc - then please knock yourself out and feel free to not get jabbed. However, if you live a normal life and come into contact with the rest of us, please get the jab. For you, for me, for them, for all of us. Thank you.

Yes i get that and correct me if i am wrong as i dont really get it, but surely it is only transmittable when you have symptoms, same as colds and flus? So if im isolating with symptoms how can i ever pass it onto anybody?

It’s transmissible before you have symptoms. This is how it’s spreading. what are your reasons for not wanting the vaccine?

Actually Rose, there is evidence showing that immunity is still durable, even after mild infection. There are studies showing that it wanes faster in older/immunocompromised people though.

The medical advice is to get vaccinated. You need 28 days between your positive test and your vaccination.

Studies on duration of immunity after infection…

www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/2021-06/Duration-of%20protective-immunity-evidence-summary_22-June-2021.pdf

Brief(er!) summary here:

www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/2021-06/Duration-of-protective-immunity_Advice-to-NPHET_25-May-2021_0.pdf

The current advice still seems to be to have the vaccine anyway. Some countries only require a single dose after infection. The advice may change though based on the studies showing how durable immunity is after 9-12 months and how rare reinfection is. I think original guidance was based on the uncertainty of how long immunity after infection would last. So it’s probably due an update now.

Fwiw the green passes for most of Europe recognise proof of previous infection as proof of immunity for 6 months.

If you don't want to get vaccinated, don't. You still have the right to make your own medical decisions without coercion from the government or anyone else.

Big new study suggesting that immunity is actually much broader and longer-lasting from natural infection. That's not to say that everyone should therefore aim for that - clearly it would be dangerous for many - but for those who have already had it plus the young and healthy it would suggest that natural immunity is fine.

The article I was reading suggested that the best protection is to have a mix of antibodies through both virus-acquired and vaccine-acquired. It was something to do with the way your body creates different forms of antibodies or something.

I took it as a positive for myself as had covid and now had both vaccines. I'm Cv and covid complications has me in hospital and with lifelong medication. So I'm hoping I'm as covered as I can be from getting it again, and hopefully will be legible for boosters if and when required.

What happens if you don't have symptoms, can you possibly not have heard about people being asymptomatic

Yes i get that and correct me if i am wrong as i dont really get it, but surely it is only transmittable when you have symptoms, same as colds and flus? So if im isolating with symptoms how can i ever pass it onto anybody?

You are wrong. It spreads before you have symptoms and if you're asymptomatic then you won't be displaying any symptoms!

My source before people start shouting at me:
www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.24.21262415v1

Legible?
Eligible

I do not know any vulnerable people and would isolate as soon as i had symptoms.. surely this is ok no?

How can you be sure?
Not everyone I know or I have contact with will know that I am CV.
Many health conditions that make someone vulnerable are hidden. And not everyone will talk about them in real life.