COVID-19 immunity check: Vast majority of Americans have some protections

New research from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that by early fall 2022, an overwhelming percentage of American adults had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. According to the study, 96% of 72,748 blood donors aged 16 years and older included in the study had antibodies. Of that group, 23% acquired their immunity from infection alone and 26% from vaccination alone; 48% had hybrid immunity. Researchers say a low prevalence of infection-induced hybrid immunity among older adults reaffirms the importance of this group staying up to date on their vaccination and gaining easy access to antiviral treatments, since they are at increased risk of severe COVID-19.