# Immunity after getting COVID should fulfill vaccine requirements **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [January 23, 2022, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258 "2022-01-23T03:25:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/61 "2022-01-23T18:51:49Z")
I got the vaccine, too. And i pushed a lot of people to get boosters. But i also know a lot of people who caught covid, one way or another. Not because they were trying to, and mostly not because they avoided getting vaccinated. But because they caught it before they were eligible for the vax, or they recently caught omicron despite being vaxxed. I don’t believe those people who caught it recently need to take a day off work to get vaxxed again. At least, not for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Tfletch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tfletch1/32/5340_2.png) [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/62 "2022-01-23T19:01:14Z")
For those who question whether concerns on effectiveness of prior infection is anti-science, I posted a [rebuttal](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/belligerent-covid-patients-frustrate-er-personnel/958068/105) in the other thread. Bottom line is that the only thing that is most reliable is infection plus vaccine or booster. There’s too many variables with prior infection. The article is a nice read with links to the contradicting research. A major point that a few insist on ignoring is that proving prior infection invites shady practices much easier than proving vaccination. Any burden placed on the anti-vaxxer is minor compared to another hour of covid and the burden that places on them and society. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/63 "2022-01-23T19:05:40Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I don’t believe those people who caught it recently need to take a day off work to get vaxxed again. It’s not as though they never get days off, they can schedule it for then. You don’t have to take a special day off, your regular one will do. I got my booster at Walgreens on Sunday, as my day off is Monday. And this is all assuming that the OP’s contention that natural immunity is as good as vaxxed immunity, which _may_ be the case, but I don’t think that the jury is back on that one yet. Until it is, I’d err on the safe side there as well. Plus, it may well end up being the case that we have to get vaccinated against more than one variant, so if it comes to that, then we are going to have to have more complicated infrastructure to determine which variant you got natural immunity to, and which you need vaccinated against. I just don’t see the point of the OP’s proposed actions at all. It will only create a whole new layer on top of an already complicated system, and the only benefit is that a small number of people can skip _a_ dose of the vaccine. OTOH, it creates a perverse incentive for people to get intentionally infected, to lie about test results, and to avoid getting the vaccine under the excuse that they had a stuffy nose last week, so they are already immune. This will cause more spread in the community, more strain on our medical resources, more death and disability from long COVID, and stretch this crisis out even longer. I don’t see it as a useful tradeoff. Besides, if I don’t get a regular booster, I can’t pick up 5G signals anymore. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/64 "2022-01-23T21:03:14Z")
> [@Tfletch1](#): > > For those who question whether concerns on effectiveness of prior infection is anti-science, Who said that? Is this one of those strawman arguments I’ve heard about? ---
**Author:** ![agzem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@agzem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/agzem)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/65 "2022-01-23T21:07:00Z")
“… People who had previously been infected with [COVID-19](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/how-omicron-highlights-fading-hope-herd-immunity-covid-2022-01-20/) were better protected against the Delta variant than those who were vaccinated alone, suggesting that natural immunity was a more potent shield than vaccines against that variant, California and New York health officials reported on Wednesday.” > **[Prior COVID infection more protective than vaccination during Delta surge...](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/prior-covid-infection-more-protective-than-vaccination-during-delta-surge-us-2022-01-19/)** > > People who had previously been infected with COVID-19 were better protected against the Delta variant than those who were vaccinated alone, suggesting that natural immunity was a more potent shield than vaccines against that variant, California and... ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/66 "2022-01-23T21:14:06Z")
> [@susan](#): > > I thought it was “the clap.” Burns: 1. Effigies 2. The clap 3. Robert ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/67 "2022-01-23T21:17:39Z")
Did you forget to say ‘goodnight’ to Gracie ? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/68 "2022-01-23T21:20:52Z")
I guess I left out California too. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/69 "2022-01-23T21:21:20Z")
And not everyone feels unwell after their vaccine. I didn’t have any side effects from my vaccine or my booster, except a little bit of a sore arm. No one in my local extended family ( 6 of us) had any side effects either. A few of my friends did, but most of them didn’t. It’s not a given that you’ll be sick at all, much less sick enough to miss work. ---
**Author:** ![Tfletch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tfletch1/32/5340_2.png) [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/70 "2022-01-23T21:21:22Z")
Please read my post in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/71 "2022-01-23T22:03:23Z")
> [@Tfletch1](#): > > A major point that a few insist on ignoring is that proving prior infection invites shady practices much easier than proving vaccination. Any burden placed on the anti-vaxxer is minor compared to another hour of covid and the burden that places on them and society. I’d only accept it if a doctor signs off on it. I don’t think it opens the door any wider to fraud than it’s already open. Hell, a lot of places accept a picture of a paper card. Something I could photoshop in an hour, and that I know you can buy fakes > [@k9bfriender](#): > > And this is all assuming that the OP’s contention that natural immunity is as good as vaxxed immunity, which _may_ be the case, but I don’t think that the jury is back on that one yet. That was my position for a long time. But I’ve read a lot of journals articles, and I think the jury is back, and infection-acquired immunity is better than being fully vaxxed with J&J, and in some circumstances, better than two doses of Moderna. > [@k9bfriender](#): > > Plus, it may well end up being the case that we have to get vaccinated against more than one variant, so if it comes to that, then we are going to have to have more complicated infrastructure to determine which variant you got natural immunity to, and which you need vaccinated against. Naw, the date of infection will make that clear. I mean, yes, the rules might be more complex than “look for two lines on this card”, but that’s going to be the case anyway. > [@k9bfriender](#): > > and the only benefit is that a small number of people can skip _a_ dose of the vaccine It’s not a small number. An enormous fraction of the population of the US (and the world) has gotten covid. If it were a small number, I wouldn’t be arguing, because it wouldn’t matter. > [@k9bfriender](#): > > it creates a perverse incentive for people to get intentionally infected, to lie about test results, and to avoid getting the vaccine under the excuse that they had a stuffy nose last week, so they are already immune. People are ALREADY doing all those things because they distrust the vaccine, and think that TPTB are lying to them. And you know, as long as TPTB refuse to accept the existence of infection-acquired immunity, they ARE lying. But yes, you will need regular boosters to keep your 5G humming smoothly. I plan to get regular boosters, too. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/72 "2022-01-23T22:04:49Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > And not everyone feels unwell after their vaccine. I didn’t have any side effects from my vaccine or my booster, except a little bit of a sore arm. No one in my local extended family ( 6 of us) had any side effects either. A few of my friends did, but most of them didn’t. > > It’s not a given that you’ll be sick at all, much less sick enough to miss work. That’s true, but a lot of the people who don’t want boosters did feel unwell. I know a lot of people in that category. Some of them I’ve bullied into getting boosters anyway. But I wouldn’t bother doing that if I knew they were fully vaxxed and ALSO had recovered from covid. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/73 "2022-01-23T22:11:41Z")
From a standpoint of how the disease works, yes, natural immunity provides a significant amount of protection. And it will continue to provide that same amount of protection whether it’s recognized or not. From a standpoint of whether people should be allowed to fly, or work in places with mandates, or whatever, it should not be recognized, because getting vaccinated will always increase protection, and it’s really easy. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/74 "2022-01-23T22:30:40Z")
@puzzlegal, I’m really sorry for your loss. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/75 "2022-01-23T22:33:29Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > > [@puzzlegal](#): > > > > My mom died of covid Wednesday night, and not only are my feelings regarding covid somewhat raw > > Aw, shit. I’m so painfully sorry, @puzzlegal > [@RitterSport](#): > > @puzzlegal, I’m really sorry for your loss. Thanks. I wrote more about it in my “fuck COVID” thread in the pit. I hope not to derail this thread with it. It’s just (obviously) on my mind right now. > [@Fuck COVID](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fuck-covid/957872): > > Fuck COVID, which stole my mother’s soul. Fuck COVID, which smothered my uncle and aunt, leaving them to die alone and in pain. Fuck all the people who talk about how it’s no big deal. It only kills old people, and fat people, and people with diabetes, and people who are unlucky. Fuck COVID ---
**Author:** ![agzem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a8b319/32.png) [@agzem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/agzem)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2022, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/76 "2022-01-23T22:39:26Z")
If a doctor says I’ve been infected with covid that should be good enough proof. Nothing shady about that. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2022, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/77 "2022-01-24T01:18:05Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Right, but your claim was that people are “dismissing the immunity brought on by actually getting the disease.”, which is what no one is doing. the thread is about fulfilling vaccine requirements so you’re being disingenuous when you say this and then go on to say we dismiss it for what you think is a good reason. > [@k9bfriender](#): > > Now, the fact that for vaccine requirements, it does not currently count is not because people are “dismissing the immunity brought on by actually getting the disease”, it is because it is the worst, stupidest, and most potentially harmful way to both yourself and the public to gain immunity to the disease. > [@k9bfriender](#): > > Then there is the difficulties in record keeping, not to mention keeping up on boosters. This has no basis of fact. A printout of a doctor’s diagnosis of covid is far better than that drink-coaster I got for vaccine proof. The proof my company asked for was for me to hold that up in front of a video cam on a conference call. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2022, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/78 "2022-01-24T01:51:39Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > That was my position for a long time. But I’ve read a lot of journals articles, and I think the jury is back, and infection-acquired immunity is better than being fully vaxxed with J&J, and in some circumstances, better than two doses of Moderna. Did you read any that talk about how [a third of people who have covid don’t develop antibodies](https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2021/09/05/36-of-those-who-had-covid-19-didnt-develop-antibodies-study-says/?sh=6af559c75f60)? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2022, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/79 "2022-01-24T03:31:09Z")
If the people tested didn’t have any ill affects then where is the problem? From the same article: Even without detectable antibodies, your immune system may still have other defenses at work. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2022, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258/80 "2022-01-24T04:48:51Z")
Not so. Doctors can be fallable, or worse yet, corruptable, just like anyone else. That’s why doctor shopping is a thing. To the OP, no, if someone gets infected but not vaccinated they don’t get to go around claiming they were vaccinated, as there was no vaccine involved in whatever level of immunity they may have. They _could_ go around claiming they got “natural infection” though. But without a system to keep track, and as pointed out, too many sideways motivations and too little guardrails, would make such a claim nearly worthless. The vax system as set up now seems to do an OK job keeping track of who got what. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/immunity-after-getting-covid-should-fulfill-vaccine-requirements/958258.md?page=5)