COVID-19 Reinfection is Unlikely, Experts Say According to experts, while it is possible for the coronavirus to infect the same individual twice, the chances of it happening within a short period of time are low. Infected people typically produce immune molecules called antibodies, which protect them from reinfection. Memory T cells are also known to kill the virus. Yale University's Akiko Iwasaki says they do a good job of "stopping an infection from spreading." Declining levels of antibodies have been a cause for concern, but Harvard University immunologist Dr. Michael Mina says it is perfectly normal. Dr. Michael Mina, via ‘The New York Times’ Researchers are hoping vaccine trials will provide more information about the nature of immunity and what will be needed to prevent reinfection.