What is how long

How long will immunity last? Or, will we need to get annual jabs, much like other vaccines? Given that many parts of the world are reeling from the discovery of newer strains and coronavirus mutations, it's highly unlikely that we can expect the virus to fully go away, so soon. Some epidemiologists also believe that the SARS-COV-2 virus, which is responsible for wreaking havoc will continue to circulate in the world much like other bacteria and viruses, and, in all likelihood become an infection like flu or influenza.

COVID vaccines work to boost up the body's immune response against the pathogen by generating antibodies that recognize and evade the infection in the future. He says, "In what we have observed so far, people do get COVID to observe natural neutralizing antibodies wane in a maximum of months time. For some with serious comorbidities, it could go away even faster. Therefore, with caution, people must remember that even artificial immunity, at this point in time, would last for a relatively similar period.

We cannot expect vaccines to work like magic. Dr Bharesh Dedhia, Consultant Critical Care, Hinduja Hospital Khar also opines that vaccines, while remaining to be one of the most effective tools right now, may not be as effective as we think them to be. Experts also feel that the track record with COVID trajectory and cases is very confusing, so there's no real way to ascertain what could happen post-vaccination.

Till now, neither of the companies, be it Moderna, Pfizer or Bharat Biotech have doled out recommendations or advisory on the same. If the vaccine does work like other viral vaccines, which are subject to regular updation and booster shots, people would be requiring additional or annual shots every year. If the newer mutations continue to persist, regular shots or additional shots may be required.

Right now, companies like Pfizer-BioNTech are also working on testing the efficiency of a booster shot, which may help negate the risks associated with the new strains.

Johnson and Johnson also recently won nod for a single-use shot which may be effective against the majority of strains. Adding to this, Dr Bindroo also believes that some people, the ones facing a high risk of the infection, or those with frail immunity may need the use of booster shots more. Hence, they might require regular checks and advised repeat shots to safeguard themselves.

Additional vaccine shots will only be required if the virus poses a threat to vaccinated people. While the COVID vaccine can protect you from the much-dreaded severity and mortality risk associated with the disease, it is still unclear if the vaccine could guarantee full protection with the shot.

For example, the current make of the vaccines might not be that effective against the newer strains. There have also been reports of people catching COVID with fewer or no symptoms after getting vaccinated.

As scary as that reads, doctors feel that it can be true for any vaccine. Experts also feel that the true effect of vaccination will only be seen once we achieve high immunization rates at the community level. Dr Dedhia also believes that the risk of reinfection or COVID-related complications go higher if a beneficiary is complacent.

It is said that it is only after 14 days post the second shot a person is considered truly vaccinated against COVID So, if you don't take your shots on time, skip a dose or let your guard off, chances are, you may get COVID again. Different efficiency rates can also leave some vulnerable to the risks.

Even if on the lower side of it, doctors do add that masks and distancing need to be mandated. What vaccines can truly help in reducing the severity and symptoms associated with the disease. Put simply, even if vaccines do not garner full protection, they may help make the disease 'bearable', protect the high-risk groups from the severity and lessen the load on the healthcare system. Do remember that getting vaccinated is still a good bet to prevent falling sick from the disease, rather than suffer from dreaded complications.

So, get your shot when you can, don't be precarious and use masks cautiously. Please Click Here to subscribe other newsletters that may interest you, and you'll always find stories you want to read in your inbox. A weekly guide to the biggest developments in health, medicine and wellbeing delivered to your inbox. Thank you for subscribing! Your subscription is confirmed for news related to biggest developments in health, medicine and wellbeing.

Back to Top. Select a City Close. Your current city: Mumbai Mumbai search close. The island has long golden beaches fringed by palm trees. Low, short and shallow. A2 used to describe a piece of writing that has a lot of pages or words:. I got a lovely long newsy letter from Bec. His speech was long and dull. He is well known to the police and has a long criminal record.

Your conclusion is good, but the final sentence is too long and complicated. It gives you a sense of achievement if you actually make it to the end of a very long book. Grammar Long. Area: length, width, depth and height. Weight and volume. Frequency, speed, time. No longer , not any longer. Idioms be long in the tooth. A2 used to mean " for a long time ", especially in questions and negative sentences :. Have you been waiting for long? I'm just writing a letter but it won't take long.

How long have you been in England? Don't rush - take as long as you like. We've been walking all day long. I've known her longer than you have. I won't be staying much longer. C2 a long period of time before or after something:. She left the house long before I arrived. It wasn't long before he was back with his family. He did not join them until long after they had eaten.

So how long have you been married to Nicky? Changes to the tax system are long overdue. How long did Queen Victoria reign? He's been single so long now, I don't think he'll ever marry. I do apologize - my train was delayed. I hope you haven't been waiting long. You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics: Long periods of time. B1 used to say that something must happen before something else can happen :. I can come as long as I can leave by 4. Bring your friends by all means - just so long as I know how many are coming.

Windsurfing is perfectly safe as long as you use some common sense. So long as he's happy - that's all that matters. Goods are exchangeable as long as they are returned in good condition.

I don't foresee any difficulties so long as we keep within budget. I don't mind being woken up once or twice in the middle of the night by my flatmate so long as she doesn't make a habit of it. Forgot your password? Retrieve it. If by any chance you spot an inappropriate image within your search results please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly. Term » Definition. Word in Definition. Wiktionary 3. Freebase 0. Suggested Resources 0. How to pronounce how long?

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