COVID-19 immunity will determine the pandemic's future

Significance

Various factors influence how immunity to a virus emerges, but the duration of immune memory will be critical in developing the most appropriate vaccine regimes as well as other planning around social distancing, travel and workspaces.

Impacts

• As lockdowns are lifted, new ‘localised’ outbreaks will require tracing, isolation and treatment.
• Countries with slow rises in case numbers may be yet to peak and international travel could be affected for a long time.
• A few vaccines have progressed to Phase II/III human trials but will still take over a year to become available globally.