Research studies involving health care workers in other jurisdictions suggest 90 per cent protection rates among those who have previously been infected with COVID-19.

Dr. Michael Grant of Memorial University is working on a similar research project among Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who have recovered from the virus.

He says while the sample size is small, the level of immunity varies on an individual basis.

Some have weak immunity while others are strong. Grant says that people who suffered the most severe illness appear to have the strongest immunity once they recover.

Meanwhile, research suggests that people who have recovered from the virus and receive one dose of the vaccine develop levels of immunity that other people develop after both doses of the vaccine.