Cumbria's public health director has urged people still to get a vaccine even if they have had coronavirus after a study showed previous Covid-19 infection provides some immunity for at least five months.

Experts have warned that a small number of those with immunity may still be able to carry the virus in their nose and throat and therefore have a risk of transmitting it to others.

The first report from Public Health England's (PHE) Siren study found that antibodies from past infection provide 83 per cent protection against reinfection for at least five months.

This suggests that people who contracted the disease in the first wave may now be vulnerable to catching it again.

Answering whether immunity from getting the virus and getting the vaccination are similar, Colin Cox, Cumbria's director of public health, said: "You would expect, if you got the virus, to get a degree of immunity for some time.

"We do know of other coronavirus strains that cause the common cold where you don't get immunity.

"My advice to people is that even if you have had the virus, please do get a vaccine as it is going to give you longer immunity.

"We haven't seen many people reinfected; it has happened so is not impossible, but is very rare.

"We don't know how long the jab gives you immunity for currently as it has not been around for long enough to tell."

The Westmorland Gazette: EXPLANATION: Public health boss Colin CoxEXPLANATION: Public health boss Colin Cox

Although reinfections in people with antibodies were rare, the research identified 44 potential reinfections among 6,614 participants who showed evidence of previous infection.

Professor Susan Hopkins, senior medical adviser at PHE and the Siren study lead, said: "This study has given us the clearest picture to date of the nature of antibody protection against Covid-19 but it is critical people do not misunderstand these early findings.

"We now know that most of those who have had the virus, and developed antibodies, are protected from reinfection, but this is not total and we do not yet know how long protection lasts.

"Crucially, we believe people may still be able to pass the virus on.

"This means, even if you believe you already had the disease and are protected, you can be reassured it is highly unlikely you will develop severe infections, but there is still a risk that you could acquire an infection and transmit to others."