Why is immunity from actual COVID-19 infection never mentioned?

[BlibBlabBlob]

Just that really; we're all being heavily encouraged to have a third jab but surely those of us who had COVID since getting the second jab have just as much immunity (if not more) as those who haven't recently been infected but have had their third jab?

I had AZ in April and July and would be happy enough to get a booster jab now if I hadn't had COVID in October. But surely that was my 'booster'? The third jab isn't specifically targeted at Omicron, so wild infection (presumably with Delta) has surely given me all the immune boost I need for the next few months?

Am still not 100% after actual COVID, I saw somewhere that it could be 12 weeks to fully recover (not including proper Long COVID of course). Not keen to have another jab yet because (a) I don't think it will give me any additional immunity at this point in time, (b) I'm worried about assaulting my immune system again while still getting over wild COVID, and (c) the first two jabs made me very ill and I selfishly don't fancy being bedridden again over Christmas.

Can it really be the case that having actually had COVID recently doesn't make the blindest bit of difference to immunity levels, but somehow a third jab (which isn't tailored specifically to Omicron, of course) will do what natural infection cannot?

Or is it just that if there is any deviation from the 'get your jab NOW' messaging, there is fear that the booster campaign will be harmed?

I think you are right to delay OP and in your circumstances I would too. Andrew Lillico (modeller on twitter) also treats natural infection equal to a vaccine dose and last week was suggesting that those with double jabs but no natural infection should be prioritised for boosters over those who are double jabbed and have also had covid.

I'm also very wary of getting a booster. I had covid over a year ago, not hospitalised but it took a good few weeks to recover. I still have antibodies (only just had the results). I'm double vaccinated with AZ and felt really rough after both. I just feel it's too much for my immune system to cope with and more account needs to be taken of natural infections rather than giving everyone the same doses.
I suspect I'll be forced into in the end as it will prevent me doing certain things if I'm not "fully vaccinated" 😕

@BlibBlabBlob thank you for starting this thread.

I tested positive for covid in November and am currently on my second set of antibiotics for an issue with my right lung, I am far from being well and yet in theory I should have my booster next week. I will be delaying until I am well.

I was worried but hope that I will have a bit of immunity so close to having just had it. I am not well enough for christmas parties etc but I have been anxious about everything that has been in the news.

@Softpebbles I'm sorry you're still suffering so much post-COVID. I think as a general rule it doesn't make sense to get vaccinated - with any vaccine - while actively unwell. You've got to give your immune system the chance to work on the existing illness before throwing another one at it deliberately!

I'm WFH again now and although DD is still in school I can't imagine she's going to bring COVID home again just yet as she will hopefully have natural immunity for a while longer. DH is still going out to see clients (he's a mental health professional) but likewise should have residual immunity after our recent infection - all three of us caught it in October. And he was also double (AZ) jabbed, just slightly earlier than me.

We're definitely not heading out to any parties etc! And I'm still in an FFP2 mask whenever I'm in a shop etc. I'm not really worried about coming into contact with COVID right now, but sure as hell don't want a dose of the 'flu or any other bug before Christmas!

At this point I'm just hoping that our wider family can struggle on until Christmas is over, at least - it was really hard for MIL not to be able to put on her normal Christmas family get-together last year and everyone is looking forward to it this year. MIL and FIL have been boosted already, BIL and SIL have probably also had three jabs by now, and the older nephews and nieces will have had one jab. Crossing everything that youngest niece, who's only 5, won't bring COVID home to her parents and siblings between now and the 25th... I know Christmas doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things but it would be crappy for the entire family's mental health if we have to cancel.