According to a new CDC study released Wednesday, both prior infection and vaccination provided protection against COVID-19 infection and hospitalization, but rates were lower among previously infected than they were among vaccinated.
The study, however, has a few caveats, as reported by The Hill. It was conducted in California and New York before and during the period when delta was the main variant, but data ends in November before omicron took over.
The study was also conducted before most people had received boosters.
It showed unvaccinated people who were not previously infected with COVID-19 remain at the highest risk of infection and hospitalization, while those who were previously infected, both with or without vaccination, had the utmost protection.
“Importantly, infection-derived protection was higher after the Delta variant became predominant, a time when vaccine-induced immunity for many persons declined because of immune evasion” the study found.
The CDC emphasized that while vaccination and previous infection were shown to protect against the virus, getting vaccinated is the only safe way to ensure long-lasting protection.
“Evidence suggests decreased protection from both vaccine- and infection-induced immunity against Omicron infections, although additional protection with widespread receipt of booster COVID-19 vaccine doses is expected,” the study concluded.
