Reference:
Chemaitelly, H., AlMukdad, S., Butt, A. A., Abu-Raddad, L. J., Ayoub, H. H., Coyle, P., Tang, P., Yassine, H. M., Al-Khatib, H. A., Smatti, M. K., Hasan, M. R., Al-Kanaani, Z.,
Al-Kuwari, E., Jeremijenko, A., Kaleeckal, A. H., Latif, A. N., Shaik, R. M., Abdul-Rahim, H. F., Nasrallah, G. K., Al-Khal, A., Al-Thani, M. H., Bertollini, R., & Al-Romaihi, H. E. (2022). Protection from previous natural infection compared with mRNA vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 in Qatar: A retrospective
cohort study. Lancet Microbe, 3(11), e845-e858. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2666-5247(22)00287-7
Summary:
A study in Qatar compared the protection conferred by natural SARS-CoV-2 infection versus mRNA vaccinations (BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273). It found that natural infection provided lower incidences of reinfection and severe disease compared to vaccination. However, vaccination remains the safer choice for preventing COVID-19-related hospitalisations and deaths. The study analysed data from over 100,000 vaccinated individuals and matched them with those who had previous infections. Results indicated that while natural immunity wanes over time, the risk of severe outcomes was significantly diminished in both cohorts, suggesting a nuanced approach to vaccination and infection recovery policies.