The Kentucky Senate has voted to support a specified COVID-19 antibody level as being equivalent to coronavirus vaccination. Two doctors in the legislative body debated the resolution on the floor.
The joint resolution says people will be considered equivalent to being fully vaccinated if their test shows a high enough number of neutralizing antibodies. That number would have to put them above the 20th percentile of the immunized population.
Bill Sponsor Ralph Alvarado said studies are showing that people with natural infections provide protection perhaps equal or even superior to vaccinations.
“If someone has below the 20th percentile, that would not be sufficient. In fact, it would likely encourage people to go get a booster to try to increase the amount of antibodies they would have present in their body,” said Alvarado
Louisville Senator Karen Berg expressed strong opposition to the measure. She said native anti-bodies don’t offer the same protection and immunity as the vaccine does. Berg went on to say it wanes more quickly and measuring protection would be very challenging. Berg says current data doesn’t support this approach.
“I want this to be true. It is not yet true and anybody who votes in favor of this is spitting in the eye of science and really hurting our Commonwealth,” said Berg.
Alvarado said this requirement would be effective through next January. He noted 23 European countries now recognize COVID recovery or vaccinations to be equivalent. The bill now heads to the House.
