I have already had COVID-19. Do I still need to get vaccinated?

Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19 because, even though you will have some immunity after you have recovered, it estimated that it only lasts a few months. Also the COVID-19 virus mutates constantly creating new variants, like the Delta or the Omicron variant. That means that the COVID-19 you have recovered from may not be the variant that is circulating in your community currently.

A new CDC study published recently found that unvaccinated people who’d recovered from Covid were five times as likely to catch it again, compared to people who got two doses of an mRNA vaccine from Pfizer or Moderna.

According to the study vaccine-induced immunity against Covid is more protective, robust and consistent than natural immunity. In other words, a vaccine will protect you significantly more against getting Covid again, a particular concern as new mutations develop.

The CDC's Official Recommendations:

The CDC currently recommends that people get vaccinated against COVID-19, even if they've had the virus. There are some things to keep in mind though:

  • The CDC recommends waiting 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine if you received a monoclonal antibody or convalescent plasma treatment when you had the virus. 
  • If you have a history of multi system inflammatory syndrome in adults (MIS-A) or children (MIS-C), the CDC also recommends delaying the vaccine until you've recovered and it has been 90 days since you were diagnoses. 

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1029-Vaccination-Offers-Higher-Protection.html

Show All Answers

1. What COVID-19 Vaccines are Available?
2. What ages are eligible to be vaccinated?
3. How do we know COVID-19 vaccines are safe for kids?
4. If the vaccine works for other people, why do kids need it?
5. I have already had COVID-19. Do I still need to get vaccinated?
6. Who should get a COVID-19 booster shot?
7. I am immunocompromised. Do I need an additional shot?
8. How do the COVID-19 vaccines work?
9. Will the vaccines cause side effects?
10. How were the COVID-19 vaccines produced so quickly?
11. Can I get COVID-19 from these vaccines?
12. Can receiving a COVID-19 vaccine cause you to be magnetic?
13. Do COVID-19 vaccines contain microchips?
14. Can the COVID-19 vaccine alter my DNA?
15. Is it safe for me to get the COVID-19 vaccine if I would like to have a baby one day?
16. Will getting a COVID-19 vaccine cause me to test positive for COVID-19 on a viral test?
17. What can you do once you are fully vaccinated?
18. I missed my 2nd shot of the mRNA vaccine. What should I do?
19. I lost my vaccine card. How can I get a new one?
20. How do I host a COVID-19 vaccine event?
21. What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
22. If I test positive for COVID-19, what should I do?
23. If I was exposed to someone with COVID-19, what should I do?
24. When can I leave isolation if I had COVID-19 symptoms?
25. One or more health conditions increase the risk of getting very sick with COVID-19. What are those conditions?