RE: Its not additive, the mRNA platform demonstrated T-cell immunity immunity (Memory immunity) at about 8 weeks.
OK, if the body will gain Memory immunity, meaning it “remembers” the invader, will this memory last a lifetime?
As an analogy, I remember my first girlfriend from 40 years ago and saw her after 40 years. Still remember her. Is this the same kind of memory?
Second question, will this memory immunity only be good for one variant of the virus? That is, do they need to develop another vaccine for every new variant?
I might remember my girlfriend from 40 years ago, but if she has a sister who looks closely like her, I am not sure I will recognize her.
Its a little more complex than that. There are many types of T - cells, T-helper, Memory cells, and IIRC NK cells (natural killer T-lymphocytes). Its been a long time since I took immunology so I am a little out on a limb here, fair warning, but the long and the short of it, is that the T cells that have memory surveil the body for an infection it recognizes (Ie you girlfriend from 40 years ago). It is “smart” enough, or genetically programmed to delineate between your girlfriend and sister. So when it sees your GF sister, it has no reaction, when it sees your GF it becomes — I suppose by analogy — aroused. It interacts with other members of the immune system to crank out antibodies quickly and quell any infection before it takes hold.
I do not remember exactly what cell does what, I think the CD 8+ cells are memory cells and the CD4+ are the helper. YMMV on this last statement. I would have to dos off my immunology and microbiology books and study a couple nights to again pass the test on this.