"One of the key features of Omicron is that it's much more. Early in the pandemic, that didn't seem to be the case with Covid. In December, researchers in Qatar found that those reinfected with any variant of COVID-19 were 90% less likely to be hospitalized than people with their first infections. Imperial researchers also found "no evidence" of Omicron being less severe than Delta. All rights reserved. This included rarer symptoms like nausea, joint pain, weight loss and anaemia. Scientists may soon have more data on BA.2 since the Omicron strain appears roughly 34% more infectious than Omicrons initial BA.1 strain and is outcompeting BA.1 in places like Denmark, South Africa, and the U.S. A positive result on a home COVID test. It would cost a lot and mainly show that people "still had it" rather than "had it again". (2022). Kathy Friend, from Glasgow, was involved in a number of nature-related ventures, and formerly worked as a camerawoman. Therefore, it's highly unlikely that a person has caught it twice and been confirmed by laboratory testing. As governments shift to living with the virus, the potential for Omicron to reinfect recovered COVID patients could alter the duration and endgame of the Omicron-fueled COVID surge. What is the plan to protect the high seas? Researchers are still studying how quickly you can be reinfected with COVID-19. The level of risk was also found to increase in line with the number of infections study participants reported. Deputy head Alan Burns was convicted of having a cache of 2447 images of children taken for sexual gratification while he worked at a South Lanarkshire school. Amazon Fire TV Stick warning as tech giant issues serious alert to users. A study of all the PCR test-confirmed Covid cases in England between 29 November and 11 December concluded that patients who had already contracted coronavirus only had around 19 per cent protection against Omicron. "In immunocompromised patients," the intensity of illness "depends on the patient and it depends on how impaired their immune system is," says Jacob Lemieux, an infectious disease doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Thug punches pair in savage unprovoked night-time attack on Glasgow street. A growing number of health experts are voicing concerns that ongoing COVID-19 restrictions are doing more harm than good at this point of the pandemic. Re-infection means, catching the same virus infection again after recovering from it. This makes some variants more contagious (transmissible), or easy to spread, than others. Lanterns lit in memory of tragic Scots girl, 5, seen from plane by family flying home. Matthew Farr based his extravagant lifestyle on that of Jordan Belfort, the so-called "Wolf of Wall Street". (2022). However, with proper preventative measures and possible future vaccines, individuals can reduce the risk of reinfection. Studies show unvaccinated people whove already had COVID-19 are more than twice as likely as fully vaccinated people to get reinfected. However, some research says that repeat infections increase the risk of health issues later. Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 reinfections, assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-1749502/v1/499445df-ebaf-4ab3-b30f-3028dff81fca.pdf, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9258753/, medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.07.11.22277448v1.full, assets.researchsquare.com/files/rs-1588371/v3/f15b8302-4fee-469a-8925-ad9d1a7ed327.pdf, medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.07.06.22277306v1, fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-recommends-inclusion-omicron-ba45-component-covid-19-vaccine-booster, emergency.cdc.gov/han/2022/pdf/CDC_HAN_467.pdf, frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.884121/full, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8908850/, thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00575-4/fulltext, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9287585/, sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016344532200010X, investors.modernatx.com/news/news-details/2022/Modernas-Omicron-Containing-Bivalent-Booster-Candidate-mRNA-1273.214-Demonstrates-Significantly-Higher-Neutralizing-Antibody-Response-Against-Omicron-Subvariants-BA.45-Compared-To-Currently-Authorized-Booster/default.aspx, pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-announce-omicron-adapted-covid-19, academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/cid/ciac481/6607746, cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/reinfection.html, jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2793357, sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867422007103, covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9258292/, COVID-19 Cases are Going to Ebb and Flow, With or Without Restrictions. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. The best way to prevent getting COVID-19 reinfections is to continue to take steps to protect yourself, including: According to the CDC, we know little about the risk of transmission during COVID-19 reinfections. It's hard to know if the same variant can infect you twice. About one in three of us caught Covid during the first Omicron wave. 2023 Fortune Media IP Limited. With fatigue reported by 58% of participants. Scots on alert for snow and ice as country prepares for coldest day of the year. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Get a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Overall, there was no difference in protection between people who were vaccinated, who had had a previous infection, or both. Anyone can get COVID-19 more than once. NAFLD: Can Obesity Increase The Risk Of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease? Unvaccinated people. Overall, they found that reinfection risk was 6.7% in the 18 to 22 months after a first. ", According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "after recovering from COVID, most individuals will havesome protection from repeat infections. Hall V, et al. Aside from being even more contagious than previous variants, scientists are tracking a mutation in BA.4 and BA.5 that could help it evade some immunity and cause reinfections. A June 2022 research article mentions anecdotal reports of rebounds in people who never took Paxlovid. That means we need to stay alert to the ways each new variant is changing, and how we respond to it especially in the age of reinfection. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. One expert called it "the worst version of the virus that we've seen." It's four times as resistant to antibodies as other. But then you began feeling a scratchy throat and a runny nose, took a home test just in case and that second line blazed red once again. That's because in the clinical trials, Paxlovid lowered the rate of hospitalization by 89% among high-risk people, so those who have factors putting them at risk, like being immunosuppressed or over the age of 65, see a major benefit from taking the antiviral. Copyright 2022 Indiadotcom Digital Private Limited. In Israel, researchers recently found a handful of individuals who appeared to contract the BA.2 strain of Omicron after getting infected with BA.1. Altarawneh HN, et al. "How meaningful that is for you really depends utterly on your rate of hospitalization and how much risk you have for a bad case that would make you very sick and potentially put you in the hospital or potentially kill you.". And for most people a second infection is less likely to make them very ill. As changes accumulate, they can make it easier for a virus to escape immunity generated by vaccination, a previous infection, or both. Getting reinfected with Omicron can unfortunately happen - here's why. Can I catch omicron twice? According to theCDC, some people who contract COVID can have detectable virus for up to three months, but that doesn't mean they are contagious. The fired Google engineer who thought its A.I. Overall, its best to err on the side of caution and assume you can transmit the virus to others. Rapid relapse of symptomatic Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection following early suppression with nirmatrelvir/ritonavir. The Glasgow MSP said a Holyrood election should be held once a new leader has been selected. After being infected with COVID-19, how long are you protected with antibodies and when could you get the virus again? Indiadotcom Digital Private Limited, Essel Studio,FC-19, Sector 16-A,Noida - 201301, India, New Omicron Variant XBB.1.5 Explodes In United States: Experts Warn of Severe Symptoms, Omicron Subvariant XBB.1.5 Sweeps Through United States, CDC Warns Against High Transmission Rate, Omicron XBB.1.5 'Kraken' Subvariant Explodes In United States, Experts Warn Fully Vaccinated To Remain Vigilant, H3N2 Virus Symptoms: High Fever, Long Lasting Cough And 5 Other Warning Signs, Scissor In Woman's Stomach: How Medical Negligence Left 30-Year-Old Suffer Severe Abdominal Pain For 5 Years, World Obesity Day 2023: 4 Fitness Guru Tips To Manage Obesity. Adults should be doing a certain amount of physical activity every week, but you don't have to be strict to see health improvements. How soon. So scientists don't normally use genetic analysis to hunt for reinfections that early. Dr Amesh Adalja, senior scholar at Johns Hopkins Centre for Health Security in the US, agreed: Its unclear, at this point, what level of immunity occurs after an Omicron infection. Modernas Omicron-containing bivalent booster candidate, mRNA-1273.214, demonstrates significantly higher neutralizing antibody response against Omicron subvariants BA.4/5 compared to currently authorized booster. COVID-19 rebound after Paxlovid treatment. It's hard to get good data on how often really early reinfections happen. Weve rounded up the 10 best masks. (2022). 371,675 views Feb 25, 2022 Yes you can but the chance is only 1 in 38,279 infections .more .more 11K Dislike Share Save Dr. John Campbell 2.35M subscribers. Situated near Persley Bridge in the Granite City, the now abandoned site is near the centre of a busy commuter route in Europe's oil capital. Before Omicron, having had COVID-19 could protect against reinfection for at least several months. "What we are seeing is an increasing number of people who have been infected with BA.2 variant of COVID-19 and then becoming infected after four weeks," the doctor said during an interview with an Australian news outlet. According to the experts, the BA.5 Omicron variant has the ability to infect an individual within weeks of contracting the virus. Is it a COVID-19 reinfection or a rebound from Paxlovid? Immunity from a prior infection waned after 1 year in unvaccinated people. She also had a stint working for Scottish Opera and even met Queen Elizabeth II. All rights reserved, Chicago Police Seek Suspects in 12 Restaurant Burglaries on City's Near North Side, 2 Men Stabbed During Fight in River North, how long should you quarantine with covid, New Ranking Names Most Expensive Cities In Illinois and These Chicago Suburbs Top the List, These Starved Rock Tiny Cabins Are Perfect For a Weekend Getaway, Body of Missing Genoa Man Recovered From River: Authorities. Vaccination boosted this level of protection. How severe are reinfections compared with initial infections? "But we are starting to see, as omicron has continued to evolve, we're starting to see some more people who had original omicron even in December, even getting some of these these new subvariants of omicron.". "So we know that when somebody has had COVID, it's as much about how recently they've had it in some ways, because we are still seeing pretty good protection if somebody had one version of omicron," Arwady said. Woman who disappeared over three decades ago is found alive in Puerto Rico. Documents show the debt was racked up over a payment for the electricity bill at the constituency office. "Vaccination vaccination vaccination. Reinfections of COVID-19 are typically less severe than first infections. Take the booster shots as and when you are eligible. Scots Labour leader Anas Sarwar accuses SNP leadership hopefuls of having no mandate to govern. Getting vaccinated can help prevent infection and reinfection, so it's a good idea to get the shots even if you've had COVID before and thought you were protected. Cough, sore throat, fever, and chills: Not again! Doctors recommend taking booster shots to lower your odds of reinfection. All rights reserved. It is not yet known how long this immune response lasts, and it is thought to vary between people. Pfizer Says Bivalent COVID-19 Booster Significantly Increases Antibodies to Fight Omicron. Compared with first infections, reinfections had a 90% lower risk of serious illness or death. After youve recovered from your first bout of COVID-19, you have some protection against the virus. Most people can expect to catch the other coronaviruses - such as those which cause common cold symptoms - many times. Yes you can but the chance is only 1 in 38,279 infectionsOccurrence and significance of Omicron BA.1 infection followed by BA.2 reinfectionDepartment of Virus and Microbiological Special Diagnostics, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark https://bit.ly/3s5QYWtOmicron carries numerous mutations in key regions and is associated with increased transmissibility and immune escape. Patricia Kopta, then 52, was declared dead in the US after she disappeared from her Pittsburgh home in 1992. "Most patients symptoms slowly improve with time. "We can't precisely say what the effect would be.". Protection against SARS-CoV-2 after COVID-19 vaccination and previous infection. Increasing reports of these rebounds prompted the CDC to release a health advisory. Researchers found that neutralization of BA.4 and BA.5 was lower than that of BA.1 or BA.2 in both vaccinated people and those with a prior infection. Researchers are studying the newer variants to learn when you might be at the most risk for reinfection. This can also increase your odds of reinfection with every new COVID-19 wave. Charness M, et al. Studies, such as the one that says double-omicron infections are rare, typically start the clock ticking after three or five weeks. The same precautions used to prevent infection masks, distancing, vaccinations, and more work just as well for avoiding reinfection. You can't spread it but it can be positive.". Among the worst ones are - Delta, Omicron and its sub-variants. Although most people don't know for sure which variant caused their illness, the original omicron caused a giant wave of cases late last year and early this year. However, for some people, post-COVID conditions may last months, and potentially years, after COVID-19 illness and may sometimes result in disability.". I thought I was immune at least for a while after having COVID. The global healthcare system was tossed upside down when the highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 virus infection hit the countries back in 2019. This genetic change is bad news for people who caught the original omicron and thought that made them unlikely to get COVID again soon. Man lured to death by 'honeytrap' pair who robbed him of fake Rolex after Instagram plot. A positive result on a home COVID test. Do you know this baby? "Most people with post-COVID conditions experienced symptoms days after their SARS CoV-2 infection when they knew they had COVID-19, but some people with post-COVID conditions did not notice when they first had an infection," the CDC states. An itchy throat can happen with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. Disinfect surfaces you use regularly, like countertops, handles, desks, and phones. Because the newer variants are much better at overcoming prior immunity, our specialists say that if you recovered from a case of COVID fairly recently and then begin showing COVID-like symptoms, you should get tested to see if you have it again. I suspect over time, yes, you probably can get reinfected. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice| Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information| Ad Choices We use the latest interactive tools, graphics, live webinars and events, interviews, medical imagery, and more. To avoid getting COVID-19 again, follow the same steps you mightve taken to prevent it in the first place. The reinfection risk was 16 times higher between mid-December last year and early January this year when Omicron dominated, than in the 7 months leading up to December when Delta was the dominant . But scientists caution that such reinfections appear rare, especially over a short period of time, and may be overestimated as a result of confusion over testing. Another June 2022 study, still in preprint, found a higher rebound rate: about 3.5% in the 7 days after treatment. It's been reported that a woman in Spain was infected twice, three weeks apart. This is very important with the Omicron variant, which multiplies 70 times faster than the prior strains of the virus. This article. Another other point to keep in mind is that reinfections aren't that unusual for coronaviruses. But your doctor might assume you have the. i examines everything you need to about reinfection. A February 2022 study brought vaccination into the mix. "Those PCR tests are very sensitive," Arwady said. Fireman lift fetish shame of Scots primary teacher caught with images of pupils. Speaking to the media, Andrew Robertson, the chief health officer in Western Australia said that the earlier belief that a COVID recovered patient retains a certain level of protection against re-infection (either through the vaccine or natural immunity post-recovery) is not seen in the case of the Omicron BA.5 variant. (2022). How to look after yourself if you get Covid. The vast majority of second positive tests within that little time are long-lasting infections rather than second infections. (2022). Previous infection and vaccination provide less protection against Omicron. That's something experts are still trying to figure out. Researchers specifically found that protection against reinfection by Omicron from a past COVID-19 infection could be as low as 19%. According to the experts, the BA.5 Omicron variant has the ability to infect an individual within weeks of contracting the virus. The amount of virus during a rebound was also similar to where it was before Paxlovid treatment. Stay away from people who are showing symptoms of the virus infection. Omicron has been the main Covid strain in the UK for about a month, leading to a tremendous surge in cases around the world. Health experts across the globe have issued a fresh warning after an alarming spread of the Omicron BA.5 sub-variant - the strain which is currently outpacing all the other variants of the virus. New COVID-19 boosters could be authorized by the FDA before full data from human trials are in because of past data on similar vaccines. A June 2022 study found that, of 483 people treated with Paxlovid, only 4 (0.8%) had a rebound. Their third infection was from Omicron. This is also likely why there are so many anecdotal reports of people getting COVID-19 two times in a row. About two-thirds of those infected with omicron in the U.K. were people who had caught the alpha or delta variant in past COVID waves, a study from Imperial College London found. Make sure it covers your nose and. A July 2022 study looked into the neutralization of BA.4 and BA.5 by antibodies from vaccination or a previous COVID-19 infection. How many people have been infected more than once with Covid? Here is what's available and what's changed. Another July 2022 study supports this. Part of it is Omicron itself - it's better at sneaking past defences built on exposure to older and different variants. Neutralization was also lower with antibodies from people with a prior infection, including BA.1, the original Omicron variant that was dominant in late 2021 and early 2022. 2023 BBC. The Office for National Statistics said about one in 13 people in the UK had Covid in the week ending 2 . US epidemiologist Eric Feigl-Ding is one of the experts who have explained how that can happen. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. BA.4 and BA.5 are very good at escaping antibodies from vaccinations and previous infections. Apart from being highly contagious, this variant is also capable of infecting the ones who have already recovered from COVID-19. "Spring" Omicron is similar to - but even more infectious than - "Christmas" Omicron (BA.1). Duration of immune protection of SARS-CoV-2 natural infection against reinfection in Qatar. Digestive symptoms, like stomach pain, might be among the earliest symptoms of COVID-19 that you experience. The highly contagious variant has led to increasing numbers of people catching the virus more than once, leading to fears it could result in waning immunity. How am I supposed to cope with the emerging and changing information about reinfection risks? Long said lab data suggests a prior infection with the original omicron is not very protective against reinfection with the new mutants, though the true risk of being reinfected no matter the variant is unique to every person and situation. Conman who swindled Scots in solar panel scam ordered to spend a week in jail. "Post-COVID conditions may not affect everyone the same way. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. The Omicron variant which first emerged in late November 2021 has changed that. The definition reflects the fact that people can test positive for weeks or months after they are infectious or symptomatic, Dr. Shira Doron, hospital epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center, told NBCs Boston affiliate. Child Benefit payments will increase next month - here are the new weekly rates. Paxlovid is an antiviral drug doctors prescribe to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people at high risk of severe illness. Why is the new COVID variant called stealth omicron? Itchy Throat: Could It Be COVID-19 or Something Else? The remarks echo findings from Imperial College London in December that estimated the risk of reinfection from Omicron to be 5.4 times greater than the Delta variant. Can getting COVID multiple times have long-term effects? Causes behind painful breathing, fluid buildup. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Especially if you had a serious case before, getting up-to-date on your COVID shots now means you will likely have a less-severe case if you're reinfected, Palese says. Pfizer-BioNTech stated that, compared with their current booster, their Omicron booster gave higher levels of neutralizing antibodies against BA.1. Moderna has announced that its Omicron booster yields a significantly higher neutralizing antibody response to BA.4 and BA.5 than its current booster. According to Robert Wachter, a professor and chair of the department of medicine at University of California, San Francisco, this is probably not an example of reinfection but something different, known as "rebound," when some patients begin experiencing symptoms and test positive again 2 to 8 days after taking the medication. Second Scots teaching union to ballot members on 'paltry' new pay offer. (2022). ", "However, reinfections do occur after COVID-19," the CDC states, adding that changes and mutations "can lead to theemergence of variantsthat can increase the risk of reinfection.". She explained that among patients with a low viral load, PCR tests, which are highly accurate and used in clinical settings, often detect infections that quicker, less precise rapid antigen tests miss. Researchers in a July 2022 study, still in preprint, found that while the effectiveness of a pre-Omicron infection against symptomatic BA.4 or BA.5 infections was only 15.1%, it was still rather high (76.1%) if you had a previous Omicron infection. Why are more people catching Covid again? Whos at Risk for Getting COVID-19 Again? Yes it is possible to catch the new variant twice in a month. Take a look at them: COVID re-infection is real, which is why knowing how to keep the body safe from catching the virus infection again is important. In the Midwest, BA.5 makes up 8.1% of cases and BA.4 is 6.5%. (2022). Experts say yes The BA.5 omicron subvariant can evade antibodies, which is why people can expect a reinfection sooner than before By Gitanjali Poonia gpoonia@deseretnews.com Jul 28, 2022, 5:00pm PST SHARE SHARE Can you get omicron twice? The figure was roughly in line with two doses of a Covid vaccine, which scientists estimated were as much as 20 per cent effective against the new variant. Outcomes of SARS-CoV reinfection. Learn how it feels and how to manage it. months or years prior. At present there is not enough data to tell whether people can get reinfected with Omicron. This includes previous Omicron infections. The new BA.4 and BA.5 Omicron subvariants are now the main drivers of COVID-19 in the United States. Guardian's Allowance weekly payments are also rising in April. After taking Paxlovid, her symptoms improved markedly and she started testing negative on rapid tests. Astudyreleased before it was reviewed by other scientists, by researchers at Ohio State University, found that COVID patients in intensive care with delta infections induced antibodies that were better at neutralizing the new mutants than patients who caught the original omicron. See an archive of our FAQs here. Melody Schreiber (@m_scribe) is a journalist and the editor of What We Didn't Expect: Personal Stories About Premature Birth. How is the new version of Omicron different? Vaccines for Omicron infection may also be developed in the future, further reducing the risk of reinfection. Omicron BA.1 and BA.2Whether BA.2 specifically can escape the natural immunity acquired shortly after a BA.1 infectionN = 1,8 million infectionsNovember 22, 2021, until February 11, 2022Individuals with two positive samples, more than 20 and less than 60 days apartFrom a total of 187 reinfection cases, we identified 47 instances of BA.2 reinfections shortly after a BA.1 infection, (So from 1,800,000 million, 47 did and 1,799.853 didnt) mostly in young unvaccinated individuals with mild disease not resulting in hospitalization or death.In conclusion, we provide evidence that Omicron BA.2 reinfections do occur shortly after BA.1 infections but are rare. Mensah AA, et al. I suspect over time, yes, you probably can get reinfected. About 4.5 million people have had a Covid booster dose since the start of the year, with another two million getting their second dose. The risk of COVID-19 reinfections is increasing. Never step out in the crowd without wearing a mask. Sure, there are reinfections. Chicago's data showed that last week, reinfections made up about 10% of new COVID cases, an increase from recent months, though health officials said many of the recent reinfections were in residents who contracted COVID some time ago, prior to the omicron wave. The data we have so far suggest that a second Omicron infection is "rare, but can occur". The first Omicron case was only identified in the UK on 27 November, so there has not been enough time to reliably work out whether it is possible for people to get reinfected. Duration of infectious shedding of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and its relation with symptoms. Never miss a story: Follow your favorite topics and authors to get a personalized email with the journalism that matters most to you. can i catch omicron twice in a month. The World Health Organisation cited early evidence that Omicron can evade immunity from vaccines and previous infection. Omicron has been the main Covid strain in the UK for about a month, leading to a . Antibodies from vaccinated people had a harder time neutralizing these subvariants. Omicron is so incredibly infectious that some are wondering whether it is possible to catch that specific variant twice and if so, what implications that could have for the current surge and . A study published in March found the risk of reinfection "increased substantially" with the emergence of omicron in November, says Juliet Pulliam, lead author of the study and director of the South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis. If youre 5 or above, youre also eligible for booster shots. Can you catch Covid twice in a month? Viruses can change over time, and thats certainly been true with this coronavirus. COVID-19 rebound after Paxlovid and molnupiravir during January-June 2022. But if he were to get sick, because of his own potential risk factors, he'd still take Paxlovid. According to the experts, post-COVID recovery, most individuals get some protection from the infections. But your doctor might assume you have the variant causing most COVID-19 infections at the time you get sick. The most recent resurgence in South Africa is now being driven by omicron sub-lineages BA.4 and BA.5. Man collapses and dies outside Edinburgh shop after 'taking unwell in street'. Omicron was first reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) from South Africa on 24 November just three days before it was first identified in the UK so there is no reliable data from there either. The 31-year-old healthcare worker started experiencing new symptoms, and genetic analysis of her positive tests showed that she had been infected by two different viruses - Delta in late December followed by Omicron in early January. Testing can also become challenging for such groups as PCR tests can "stay positive for some time," experts said. Omicron BA.5 is becoming the dominant coronavirus strain in the US. Postecoglou is already working to improve his squad in the summer as he gets set for a huge double-header with Hearts. Laboratory studies suggest that a combination of having had Omicron and being vaccinated could leave your body even better prepared to fight off a new infection than one infection alone. These mutations help the virus form new variants and also strengthen the ability of the next strain in infecting an individual.