3. De-prioritize the infected

“There’s no contraindication

to immunizing people who have had a past COVID-19 infection,” Naylor said. However, the federal vaccine advisory group has said that, with limited supply, “initial doses may be prioritized” for those who have not had a previously confirmed SARS-COV-2 infection.

That could be a logistical nightmare: How do you screen everyone for antibodies to the virus before agreeing to inoculate them? Do we do serological testing on every single person we’re trying to register for a vaccine? Think about the rollout thus far, Smith said. It could slow down the process further.

COVID reinfections can happen. There isn’t great evidence concerning the duration of protective immunity that might come from having been infected naturally, and who is to say people previously infected would be protected against the new variants?

“you’re gambling a bit there if you think that those who have had a previous diagnosis are any less in need to be vaccinated,” Smith said.