(WASHINGTON, D.C.) — A new study finds that antibodies developed following a COVID-19 infection remain in the system up to five months.  

In the journal Science, a Mount Sinai study published on Wednesday finds that antibodies formed by those infected with a mild-to-moderate form of COVID-19 develop “a robust antibody response” that remains “relatively stable for at least five months.”

Florian Krammer, a senior author of the paper, noted, “While some reports have come out saying antibodies to this virus go away quickly, we have found just the opposite — that more than 90 percent of people who were mildly or moderately ill produce an antibody response strong enough to neutralize the virus, and the response is maintained for many months.”

Kramer, who is also a professor of vaccinology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, added, “at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.”

30,082 people were studied to produce the results.

Beyond a natural response to the virus, 200 vaccine candidates are racing for a cure on a global scale.  Once a effective vaccine is developed, the focus will be on inoculating as many individuals as possible.

To ensure that a majority of Americans obtain the vaccine, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Wednesday that any FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine will be made available to all Americans at no cost.

CMS Administrator Seema Varma added, “The rule covers both vaccines authorized through an emergency authorization and full licensing approval.”

The rate of infection in the U.S., which remains the worst in the world, is fast approaching nine million confirmed cases, reports Johns Hopkins University.  The virus has killed nearly 228,000 Americans.