IMMUNITY to Covid-19 in recovered patients may only last a few months, according to a new study conducted by King’s College London.

In what is believed to be the first longitudinal study of its kind, researchers looked into the immune responses of 90 patients and healthcare workers at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust.

The research found that immunity antibodies decrease significantly in the three months following infection, leaving patients susceptible to reinfection year after year, similar to the common cold.

While the analysis revealed a “potent” level of antibodies could be found in 60 per cent of participants while at the peak of their battle with coronavirus, sequential blood tests showed that only 17 per cent sustained that same level of potency three months later.

Antibodies decreased 23-fold in some cases and were depleted entirely in others.

The report states that its findings have “important implications when considering widespread (antibody) testing, (antibody) protection against reinfection with (Covid-19) and the durability of vaccine protection.”

Mala Maini, professor of viral immunology and consultant physician at University College London, said: “This study does reinforce the message that we can’t assume someone who has had Covid-19 can’t get it again just because they initially became antibody-positive.”