People who have been infected with Covid, recovered and then months later received the vaccine have an added protection as we head into a full reopening, according to new research.
The Zoe Covid Study shows that a person's protection against the virus increases to as much as 94% if they're double-jabbed and recently recovered.
Scientists involved in the UK study have said that two doses of the AstaZeneca vaccine provided 71% protection against the virus up to 6 months after receiving the final dose, however, protection increased to 90% in those who had previously tested positive.
Similarly, it found that the Pfizer doses gave 80% protection six months after it was administered to people who had never had the virus, but this increased to 94% in those who had.
The lead scientist on the Zoe Covid Study, Professor Tim Spector explained; "Regardless of which vaccine is administered, this latest research shows that having a natural Covid-19 infection before double vaccination does mean greater protection.
"This is really positive news for overall immunity levels and means that large numbers of people will have effective and long lasting protection from Covid-19.
"This is also strong evidence to support the need for vaccination, even for those who have already had Covid-19."
Although vaccination technically provides better protection among the population, those who have recovered will still have 65% protection against re-infection for up to 450 days.
So with the added benefit of a double vaccination, those people will be the most protected going forward.
The Zoe study also recently found that protection from the vaccine alone, with no prior illness, began to wane within three months of the final dose being administered and so booster shots will eventually be necessary for most.
However, Spector says that if you are not yet eligible for the booster, but have the vaccine and have recovered from the virus, then you shouldn't be too worried.
"When it comes to a booster jab, it's my opinion that if you're not in one of the eligible groups for a booster yet, but have a previous infection and two vaccines, you shouldn't be too worried as your protection will be very high," he explained.
