Coronavirus reinfections are rare but a new study has found that they are more likely to occur for people aged 65 and older.

According to a study published Wednesday (March 18) in the Lancet Medical Journey, while people who have recovered from the COVID-19 virus seem to develop a six-month natural immunity from possible reinfection, this number is significantly less for people 65 years and older.

The study, which looked at reinfection rates among four million people in Denmark, found that people within older age groups had only about 47 per cent protection against repeat infection, compared to younger people
who seemed to have about 80 per cent protection from reinfection.

Study author Dr Steen Ethelberg said the findings support the pandemic-long message of protecting the elderly.

“Given what is at stake, the results emphasise how important it is that people adhere to measures implemented to keep themselves and others safe, even if they have already had COVID-19,” said Ethelberg.