15 January 2021
Inside this issue: Study finds COVID infection provides some Small Things Make a Big Difference: Page 3 Get your hands on some goodies: Page 7 Staff support: Pages 10-13
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immunity, but people may still carry and transmit virus
A study which landed researchers at SaTH and award for their participation has discovered that people infected with COVID-19 are likely to be protected against reinfection for several months, although those with immunity may still be able carry the virus in their nose and throat and therefore risk transmitting it to others. Public Health England has been regularly testing tens of thousands of health care workers across the UK since June for new COVID-19 infections as well as the presence of antibodies, which suggest people have been infected before. Leaders of the SIREN study are clear this first report provides no evidence towards the antibody or other immune responses from COVID-19 vaccines, nor should any conclusions to be drawn on their effectiveness. The SIREN study will consider vaccine responses later this year. PHE scientists working on the study have concluded naturally acquired immunity as a result of past infections provide 83% protection against reinfection, compared to people who have not had the disease before. This appears to last at least for five months from first becoming sick. Last month the research team at SaTH, along with partners at Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, and Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, were recognised by the Clinical Research Network West Midlands for their part in the SIREN study and the Novavax vaccine trial. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3