A new study led by researchers from the University of Padua in Italy found that the natural protection granted by COVID-19 infection is stronger in young children than in adults.
Researchers examined 252 families in which at least one member had a mild case of COVID-19. The scientists measured antibody levels for up to one year after infection. At every point in time post-infection, children, particularly those three years old and younger, had higher antibody levels than their adult family members.
CONCLUSIONS: Natural immunity against reinfection wanes and may diminish within a few years… Protection against severe reinfection remains very strong, with no evidence for waning, irrespective of variant, for over 14 months after primary infection https://t.co/RJ6YRpYiZS pic.twitter.com/dd8yNCcHn2
— Paul D. Thacker (@thackerpd) July 8, 2022
Out of 902 total patients, 697 were infected with COVID-19 and 674 of them had mild or no symptoms. Antibody levels in kids three and younger were as much as five-fold higher than in adults.
Additionally, an analysis of 194 samples from 84 patients found that antibodies were still present and detectable 18 months after infection, although they waned over time. The antibody levels deteriorated faster within the first 200 days post-infection than after that. (RELATED: The CDC Once Pulled A Kids’ Vaccine With Fewer Problems Than The COVID Jab)
None of the subjects in the study were vaccinated. Numerous studies have found that natural immunity may be as strong, or potentially stronger, than vaccine-induced immunity against COVID-19. Children already face an extremely low risk of serious COVID-19 cases, although public health agencies in the U.S. are pressuring doctors to vaccinate more toddlers against the virus.