Major Israeli academic investigative group questions need for Covid-19 vaccination of previously infected 5 to 18 year-olds after completing largest (~459K), lengthiest (up to 18 months) pediatric follow-up study of naturally-acquired immunity to SARS-CoV-2

Largest (up to 459K) & lengthiest (18-months) UNVACCINATED pediatric (ages 5-18 years old) SARS-CoV-2 naturally-acquired immunity cohort studies confirm only 2 hospitalizations*, ZERO** deaths, and persistent 80%+ reduction in reinfection, vs. SARS-CoV-2 naïve controls  (*2 in the previously infected group, & 48 in the SARS-CoV-2 naïve control group; ** ZERO deaths in either group, i.e., in the entire largest cohort of ~459K, previously infected, or not)

“As for public health policies, the demonstrated long-term protection of naturally acquired immunity has important implications regarding the decision to vaccinate convalescent children and adolescents, and to mandate self-quarantine after exposure, affecting all biopsychosocial aspects of life and well-being of children, adolescents and their families. This should be considered in light of evidence of increasing seroprevalence (of anti-nucleocapsid (anti-N) antibodies, indicating previous infection) in children and adolescents, crossing 70% in the United States in 2022… In conclusion, this study suggests that children and adolescents who were previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 remain protected against reinfection to a high degree for up to 18 months. In light of these findings, alongside evidence pointing to the fact that the majority of this population had already been infected, policy decision makers should consider when and if convalescent children and adolescents should be vaccinated.”

Full pdf of study available here: Israel Maccabi natch immunity in 5_18yos Gazit et al_delta period all unvaxxed

The same pioneering Israeli academic investigative group which first elucidated the superiority of naturally-acquired vs. covid-19 vaccine-induced immunity (see: here; here), has now completed the largest (modeling samples of ~293 to 459K 5 to 18 year olds), and most enduring (up to 18-months of follow-up) studies of pediatric immunity in the pediatric age range. The cohort was comprised exclusively of unvaccinated children and adolescents evaluated during Israel’s delta wave(s) of infections, which in Israel (as in the United States), were associated with greater morbidity and mortality than subsequent omicron, and omicron subvariant waves.

Below, I have reproduced the study abstract and key results Figures:

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