Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what evidence his Department holds on the potential benefits of immunisation against covid-19 for people who have previously tested positive for that virus.

It is not known how long antibodies made in response to natural COVID-19 infection persist, and whether immunisation could offer more protection. However, it is expected the COVID-19 vaccine would boost any pre-existing antibodies from previous infection. There is no evidence of any safety concerns from vaccinating individuals with a history of COVID-19 infection or with detectable antibodies to COVID-19. Therefore, people who have had COVID-19 disease – whether confirmed or suspected – should still receive the COVID-19 vaccine.