I haven’t got a full handle on the human immune system, but it seems like T-Cell immunity is the more important component.
http://www.differencebetween.net/science/difference-between-t-cells-and-antibodies/
FReepers please jump in to clarify or correct, but it looks like Antibodies are a last-ditch defence, only seen when a case is critical.
(Things were much simpler in the movie ‘Outbreak’!)
T-Cell MEMORY is the more important component. Like with most infections if your T Cells have already been presented with a naughty antigen they go into beast mode directing the generation of lots of antibodies that can overwhelm and eradicate the associated intruder.
The purpose of vaccines is to present the antigen to the T cells without exposing the body to actual viable microbe.
Memories. Good to have those.