Q&A – If You’ve Had COVID-19 Should You Get Vaccinated?

Today’s entry: What about people that have already had Covid? Isn't that the same thing?

Bottom Line: It’s probably a good time to discuss the topic for a couple of reasons. First, to reset with the CDC’s guidance which has been consistent on this topic and second, because we have available updated research on antibodies from those who’ve had COVID-19.

Let's start with whether you should get vaccinated if you’ve had COVID-19. The CDC’s guidance states, yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. That’s because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, it is possible—although rare—that you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 again.

On that note, here are the only specific instances in which the CDC says you shouldn’t get vaccinated.

  • If you currently have COVID-19:People with COVID-19 who have symptoms should wait to be vaccinated until they have recovered from their illness and have met the criteria for discontinuing isolation; those without symptoms should also wait until they meet the criteria before getting vaccinated.
  • If you are allergic to a vaccine: People with underlying medical conditions can receive a COVID-19 vaccine as long as they have not had an immediate or severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine or to any of the ingredients in the vaccine.


With all of the CDC’s specific guidance established here’s a little additional info available pertaining to the variables they outlined. Starting with not knowing how long antibodies from those who’ve had COVID-19 will last. According to a British Government study of 20,000 recovered COVID-19 patients, 99% retained antibodies after three months with 88% retaining antibodies after six months. While it’s still not known how long antibodies can last, it appears that there can be a somewhat meaningful drop-off inside of six months for some people. Without knowing where you might fit into that equation the CDC’s recommendation is understandable. And that takes us to the next point. The time warp. 

We’ve all lost some semblance of time during the pandemic. Consider that it’s now been 14 months since the lockdowns began in the United States. Many, if not most, of those who’ve had COVID-19 – had it over six months ago. Already the FDA is talking about the possibility of a booster shot. While we don’t know how long the vaccinations will last, those first vaccinated in December are already five months removed from the first dose of their vaccinations. Keeping time in perspective relative to when one had COVID-19 and/or vaccination is probably pretty important at this point. And of course, beyond the CDC’s guidance and available scientific data, there’s also your doctor’s guidance for your specific situation. 

Each day I feature a listener question sent by one of these methods. 

Email:brianmudd@iheartmedia.com

Parler & Twitter:@brianmuddradio 

Photo by: Getty Images


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