A rapid decline in coronavirus antibody prevalence demonstrated in a new UK study is further evidence that a herd immunity strategy would be doomed to failure, researchers say.

Findings from the REACT-2 (Real Time Assessment of Community Transmission) study also suggest that, as population immunity wanes, the risk of COVID-19 reinfection becomes increasingly likely.

Investigators from Imperial College London have reported that the prevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among UK adults dropped by more than one quarter over the summer months.

The preprint study, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, shows that the decline was greatest in over-75s, whereas the antibody positivity remained stable among healthcare workers, probably reflecting repeated exposure to the virus.