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It is estimated that each person's immunity to COVID-19 is different.

This is because the number of times and when the vaccine was given differs, and the case of a natural infection also has an effect.

A study has recently been published that can help you understand how strong your immune system is.



This is Cho Dong-chan, a medical reporter specializing in medical science.



<Reporter> In



Korea, the 3rd dose rate for those aged 60 and over is high at 89.9%, but the 4th dose is still low at 34.5%.



[70s (4th non-vaccination): (3rd) After receiving the vaccine, 3 days later, my heart was beating so much at dawn, I went to the emergency room



. .



[70s (4th vaccination scheduled): (After 3rd vaccination) I was going to just skip it, but these days it keeps spreading like this, so I will go on Monday (for the 4th vaccination).]



These are the results of a study recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.



On a per 100,000 basis, the risk of infection for a person receiving the second dose is 21.1 within 2 months of the dose.



After that, it gradually increases, and after about 8 months, it becomes 88.9 or 4 times higher.



For those who have not been vaccinated and have only been infected naturally, the risk of infection is 10.5 within 6 months of infection, and after that, it gradually increases, and after 1 year, it rises to 30.2.



The risk of infection increases compared to immediately after the second dose.



In people vaccinated after natural infection, the risk of infection remains 3.7 within 2 months and 11.6 by 8 months.



Our quarantine authorities consider natural infection to be a single inoculation.



A booster dose is highly recommended if you have not been vaccinated or if you have only had one dose and have been infected.



In case of infection after the 2nd or 3rd vaccination, only those who wish to receive the 3rd or 4th vaccination are eligible for vaccination.



Although the recent BA.5 mutation is prevalent, the existing vaccine can prevent about 50% of the disease from becoming severe.



[Bang Bang-hwan / Professor of Infectious Diseases, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital: It is true that we do not know what the long-term effect of the vaccine will be.

However, if you get sick right away, it is better to get an additional vaccination.] For



the elderly, it is safe to get the 4th vaccination if it has been 6 months since getting the vaccine or 1 year after being naturally infected.



(Video coverage: Kim Won-bae, Video editing: Kim Byung-jik, VJ: Shin So-young, CG: Jo Su-in)