In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, a lot remains unknown about SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19. While we race to understand the true nature of the virus and create a vaccine, our best defense against the pandemic is social distancing. Understanding how our immune systems will respond to the virus is key in answering the questions of how dangerous the virus really is, how we can create an effective vaccine, and when we can reemerge from social distancing. Does being infected once make us immune and protect us from future infections? Will this immunity be long lasting? How about immunity from a vaccine? Will we need seasonal vaccines against coronaviruses, like the flu? In this episode of Beyond the Abstract, Derek and Ellen discuss emerging research on COVID-19 immunity (from the comforts of their own homes). This study sheds some light and hope on what we can expect in terms of immunity after infection.

Bao et al. Reinfection could not occur in SARS-CoV-2 infected rhesus macaques. bioRxiv, March 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.13.990226.

This article is a preprint and has NOT undergone peer review. The information presented here is not medical advice. Please follow all guidelines from the CDC in regards to social distancing. Consult your physician on any questions regarding your personal health.