“The effectiveness of previous contamination in preventing reinfection is estimated at 90.2% for the Alpha variant, 85.7% for the Beta variant, 92% for the Delta variant and 56% for the Omicron variant. “, indicates a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
These data do not concern infections due to Omicron, which is too new in the medical landscape. “We can expect that [la protection conférée par Omicron] is a little better”, supposes Alain Lamarre, specialist in immunology at the National Institute for Scientific Research. “Omicron versus Omicron is going to be better than Delta versus Omicron,” he says, because antibodies raised against one variant naturally protect against that same variant.
However, the risks of infection are very possible in the long term. “A coronavirus is a virus that provides little protection. Only four coronaviruses cause colds and, every year, you can be infected, ”notes Mr. Lamarre.
Each contamination nevertheless reduces the risk of serious complications in the future. “The protection offered by previous infections against hospitalizations or death during reinfection seems robust, regardless of the variant”, mentions the study which analyzed thousands of patients.
Moreover, an infected and cured person has practically nothing to fear for one or two months. Reinfection “within 60 to 90 days” is “extremely unlikely”, said the acting national director of public health, Dr. Luc Boileau, last week, preferring all the same to play it safe. “The risk is always there. The risk is calculated, however. Everyone should be part of the equation. […] If everyone went to get their booster dose, we wouldn’t have any more worries. »
“After that time, it is now recommended to get your third dose,” also advises Alain Lamarre.
This text is taken from our newsletter “Coronavirus mail” of February 14, 2022. To subscribe, click here.