The COVID-19 pandemic has been a global challenge for over two years now, and despite significant progress in vaccination efforts, the virus continues to evolve and pose new risks. One of the most pressing concerns is the issue of vaccine effectiveness and immunity.

According to Ruth Link-Gelles, a representative from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it has become increasingly difficult to measure prior infection in vaccine effectiveness studies due to the growing number of people who have been infected multiple times. This has changed how vaccine effectiveness is measured, making it more complex than ever before.

Experts now recognize that immunity wanes over time, with the steepest declines observed among individuals without hybrid immunity from both an infection and vaccination. Moreover, the risk posed by COVID-19 to each person depends on their unique combination of previous vaccinations and infecting variants. This means that no two people are equally susceptible to the virus.

The CDC recently reported that approximately 17% of COVID hospitalizations by the end of last year were from reinfections. This statistic highlights the importance of continued vigilance in vaccination efforts, as having antibodies from a prior infection does not guarantee protection against catching COVID-19 again.

Interestingly, a recent survey conducted by the Census Bureau and published by the CDC found that only 54.9% of all adults currently believe they have ever had COVID-19. This suggests that many people may be unaware of their own infection history, which can impact their understanding of vaccine effectiveness and immunity.

In light of these findings, it is essential to emphasize the importance of continued vaccination efforts and public education campaigns to promote awareness about the risks associated with COVID-19. By staying informed and taking proactive steps to protect ourselves and others, we can work together to mitigate the spread of this virus and eventually achieve herd immunity.

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