“The Red Cross is testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. As part of this effort. Standard whole blood donations made at any Red Cross blood drive or blood donation center are critical in this effort. Donors who have had COVID-19 are urged to donate whole blood as soon as they’re fully recovered and eligible to give. plasma from whole blood donations that test positive for COVID-19 antibodies may be processed into a convalescent plasma product to help patients battling this virus.”
The Red Cross might have data that shows how long natural immunity lasts.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00367-7
How ‘killer’ T cells could boost COVID immunity in face of new variants
In the race against emerging coronavirus variants, researchers are looking beyond antibodies for clues to lasting protection from COVID-19.
Concerns about coronavirus variants that might be partially resistant to antibody defences have spurred renewed interest in other immune responses that protect against viruses. In particular, scientists are hopeful that T cells — a group of immune cells that can target and destroy virus-infected cells — could provide some immunity to COVID-19, even if antibodies become less effective at fighting the disease.
Researchers are now picking apart the available data, looking for signs that T cells could help to maintain lasting immunity.
“We know the antibodies are likely less effective, but maybe the T cells can save us,” says Daina Graybosch, a biotechnology analyst at investment bank SVB Leerink in New York City. “It makes sense biologically. We don’t have the data, but we can hope.”
more at the link
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00367-7