172 Days and Counting

 

We want you to get vaccinated if you have not. Right Dr. Chokshi.  

Let me take a question from a member of the media

Question: Thank you. And then, last week, Dr. Chokshi said that the vast majority of both new cases and hospitalizations are occurring for those who are not yet fully vaccinated. I'm wondering whether you have any data on whether anyone who has gotten the Delta variant or is hospitalized had, had antibodies from having previously had the original strain of COVID?  

  

Mayor: Very good question and I'm going to turn it to Dr. Chokshi.  

  

Commissioner Chokshi: Thank you for this important question, which is if someone has had previous infection and particularly if they have antibodies after that prior infection, are they at risk of getting reinfected, particularly with the Delta variant? And the answer is that there is a small risk of reinfection, and it appears that the Delta variant does have some slightly greater properties to invade the immune system. But natural infection does provide good protection against all of the variants of the virus that are circulating in New York City, including the Delta variant. The final point, which is very important, is that the best way to augment that immunity is to get vaccinated. So, if you're someone like me who had COVID-19 in the past, my recommendation is for you to get vaccinated as well, because we do have evidence that strengthens immunity and it may extend the duration of immunity as well.