NIH Scientist: US Ignored Natural Immunity, Hurt Pandemic Response.

NIH Scientist Testifies to Congress on the Importance of Post-Infection Immunity

Disregarding Natural Immunity Led to Lost Jobs, School Closures, and Wasted Vaccines

According to Margery Smelkinson, a research scientist at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the failure to recognize the importance of post-infection immunity has led to prolonged school closures, lost jobs, staffing shortages, and wasted vaccines. Smelkinson was one of three experts scheduled to testify to the U.S. House of Representatives Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic in Washington on Capitol Hill.

Smelkinson, who is employed by the same agency headed by Dr. Anthony Fauci, said that U.S. health agencies “chose to disregard natural immunity,” along with other top public health officials. This disregard for natural immunity meant that COVID-19 vaccine mandates across the country featured no exceptions for the naturally immune, in contrast to some other countries.

The CDC has said that there is post-infection protection, but that it varies by person, and that it’s unclear how long it lasts. However, evidence from before the vaccines were even available signaled that natural immunity was robust, and later studies provided evidence that natural immunity was similar to or even better than vaccination.

Smelkinson noted that one study in July 2020 found a strong immune response in people who had recovered from COVID-19. Another in October 2020 provided similar findings. And a paper in November 2020 found that mild infections also triggered strong responses. As early as April 2021, research suggested protection on par with that from vaccines.

Smelkinson said that the government’s position resulted in staffing shortages, including in the health care sector, and “caused needless loss of life as vaccines were given to essential workers with natural immunity instead of being prioritized for vulnerable and elderly populations.” She also noted that disregarding the wealth of evidence of natural immunity led to missed opportunities to implement policies that could have been more effective and efficient in controlling the pandemic and limiting collateral damage.

Experts Agree: Post-Infection Immunity is Important

Dr. Marty Makary, a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, was also prepared to testify to Congress on the importance of post-infection immunity. Makary has previously stated that natural immunity is “robust, complete, and durable,” and that it should be taken into account when making public health decisions.

It’s clear that post-infection immunity is an important factor in controlling the pandemic and limiting collateral damage. As more research is conducted, it’s likely that we’ll continue to learn more about the benefits of natural immunity and how it can be used to help us move forward.