Previous infection ‘gives those who are double jabbed greater protection’

PREVIOUS coronavirus infection gives double jabbed people greater protection, research suggests.

Past Covid infection, together with being fully vaccinated, increases an individual’s protection against the virus to as much as 94%, according to the Zoe Covid study.

The research found two doses of Oxford/astrazeneca provided 71% protection against infection up to six months after vaccination, while protection was increased to 90% among those who previously tested positive for the virus.

While two doses of Pfizer/biontech jab gave 80% protection up to six months after vaccination, which increased to 94% with a previous infection.

Professor Tim Spector, of Kings College London – a lead scientist on the Zoe Covid study app, said: “Regardless of which vaccine is administered, this latest research shows that having a natural Covid-19 infection before double vaccination does mean greater protection.

“This is really positive news for overall immunity levels in the UK and means that large numbers of people will have effective and long lasting protection from Covid-19.

“This is also strong evidence to support the need for vaccination, even for those who have already had Covid-19.”

Drawing on more than 1.2 million test results, the analysis found that a previous infection without vaccination gave only 65% protection.

Researchers say this suggests that on average vaccination provides better protection, and the addition of vaccination significantly increases protection.

The study also found that protection from a previous infection alone did not wane for up to 450 days after being infected – independent of vaccination status.

This is unlike vaccine protection, which the Zoe study has previously found starts to wane after three months.