Hybrid immunity or Superhuman immunity is a new term coined by scientists to describe the highly effective immunity developed among people recovered from COVID-19 virus. According to doctors in the UAE, hybrid immunity is achieved as a combination of natural and vaccine-generated immunity.

Dr Sundar Elayaperumal, a consultant microbiologist at Burjeel Hospital, explained that a larger-than-expected immune response is generated after the naturally-gained immunity against COVID-19 combines with the vaccine-generated immunity. In view of the significant decrease in Coronavirus cases across the UAE, Emirati doctors stated that the phenomenon of hybrid immunity is likely to be generated among many residents in the country. Dr Tholfkar Al Baaj, the chief clinical officer at Al-Futtaim Health, highlighted that people with hybrid immune response are in good position against the disease.

“Studies show that the antibodies in such individuals’ blood can even neutralise SARS-CoV-1, the first coronavirus, which emerged 20 years ago. That virus is very, very different from SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, there is a lot of research now focused on finding a pan-coronavirus vaccine that would protect against all future variants,” he added.

On the basis of these findings, Dr Al Baal explained that it is highly likely that immune system is effective against the virus.

“If we’re lucky, SARS-CoV-2 will eventually fall into that category of viruses that gives us only a mild cold,” Dr Al Baaj said.

How does hybrid immunity work?

Dr Mohammed Salman Khan, general medicine at Aster Clinic in Qusais, noted that a single dose of an RNA-based COVID-19 vaccine taken after recovering from SARS-CoV-2 can provides more immune protection as compared to both doses of vaccine in infection-naïve individuals.

Has UAE achieved herd immunity?

UAE doctors hailed the national vaccination campaign launched by the Emirati leadership with the aim of curbing the COVID-19 virus. The national vaccination drive facilitated the significant decline in daily infections due to the virus. In this regard, Dr Al Baal underscored that herd immunity is achieved when at least 80 percent of the total population gets immune against the disease - either by natural immunity after infection or through vaccinations. With more than 79 percent of the total population vaccinated against COVID-19 and over 90 percent having received at least one dose of the vaccine, the UAE has become one of the most vaccinated countries in the world.

“We can say we have quite nearly achieved herd immunity, mostly because we have the highest percentage of vaccinations administered in the world," Dr Khan added.

Dr Hiba Waleed Kashmoola, a specialist in family medicine at Medcare Medical Centre, Sharjah, stated that UAE has the highest vaccination rates among school-going children which is boosting the immune response among the population.

“Having high inoculation rates among children is crucial in reducing community-based transmission, as children can be silent spreaders of the virus in society. With schools reopening, it becomes even more important to increase the vaccination rate amongst this section of the population to prevent any potential surge of infections that might result from in-person learning,” Dr Al Baaj said.