do you know anything about immunity?

This from the British Medical Journal March 2929

‘Flu shots and the risk of coronavirus infections (BMJ 2020;398:m810—February 28)….A randomized placebo-controlled trial in children showed that flu shots increased fivefold the risk of acute respiratory infections caused by a group of noninfluenza viruses, including coronaviruses. (Cowling et al, Clin Infect Dis 2012;54:1778) From Table 3, vaccine recipients had 20 noninfluenza virus-positive ARIs and 19 virus-negative ARIs; non-recipients had 3 noninfluenza virus-positive ARIs and 14 virus-negative ARIs. These figures yield an odds ratio of 4.91 (CI 1.04 to8.14).

Such an observation may seem counterintuitive, but it is possible that influenza vaccines alter our immune systems non-specifically to increase susceptibility to other infections; this has been observed with DTP and other vaccines. (Benn et al, Trends in Immunology, May 2013) There are other immune mechanisms that might also explain the observation.

To investigate this possibility, a case-control study is in order as we study and care for the victims of covid-19. Influenza vaccines have become sacred cows in some quarters, but they shouldn’t be.

MayBe no I didn't read about people who have the flu vaccine are adversely affected by Covid! Something extra to worry about!

Greeneyed IMO it was always going to be that any vaccine based on stimulating an antibody response was on a sticky wicket, judging by our poor track record with coronaviruses in the past.

But ..never say never.

6 months immunity only was mentioned somewhere.

Yes you are right Furret the study was looking at antibodies and I appreciate the picture is somewhat more complex where immunity to re infection is concerned.

Has anyone seen reports saying that people that have had the flu vaccine are adversely affected by Covid? There doesn’t seem to be a proper study into it which I don’t understand as it would be easy to see from people’s medical records. I’ve always had a flu vaccine but would like to know more before I have the vaccine this year. It’s very unusual for me to hold back from having a vaccine so I’m in a bit of a dilemma about it. I also read that having Covid doesn’t stop you getting it again but you will probably have it much milder. My daughter had a positive result from an antibody test that she did which surprised her. She’d had a virus of some kind in January but didn’t think it was Covid. I know it’s a very complicated virus but it seems to be taking so long to get even straightforward answers about it. People’s bodies seem to react to it in so many different ways.

Interesting that those with blood group A seem to have a more severe response to the virus.

PS Greeneye I think that study looked at antibodies.

The only empirical evidence will be that based on statistics gathered over a period of time, showing whether or not people get the infection a second time and with what degree of severity.

The same will be true of any vaccine developed in future.

And yes, the work on T-cells is looking promising.

Have a look at the latest study by the team at Kings College London.

It was carried out on 90 patients and staff from Guy’s and St Thomas’ who have recovered from COVID-19. It shows immune response at a 60% potent level at the peak of the illness, but decreases significantly 3 months later.

This study has not yet been peer reviewed, and it is very early to draw conclusions but if replicated could mean that it is possible to be reinfected at a later date. Similar to common cold.

There is no certainty yet about the degree or length of immunity that people who have had Covid have. That is indeed one of the main problems I think. If we could be sure that those who test positive are done and dusted with it, it would be a huge step forward - but I do not think it is going o happen.

There has just been a Professor on the lunchtime news saying that they think they have found that T cells play an important part in whether or not we are susceptible to catching Covid-19 and the severity.

She also went on to say that people that have had a form of Coronavirus in previous years may be immune to Covid-19.

No, it hasn't. Too little is known about immunity. There was something on the news the other day about some research suggesting that, but it's ONLY a possibility. Don't bank on it.

Not as far as I’m aware. This is one of the problems that the Scientists are trying to establish an answer to.
There are full scientific explanations on the Internet.