This story appeared in the Petoskey News-Review. Read more here.
A common question among those who have already been infected with COVID-19 and have recovered is if they still need to get vaccinated.
According to many health officials as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the answer is yes.
“Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19,” said Dr. Josh Meyerson, medical director of the Health Department of Northwest Michigan. “That’s because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19.”
According to the CDC, 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.
Getting COVID-19 may offer some protection, known as natural immunity, the CDC states. Current evidence suggests that reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 is uncommon in the months after initial infection, but may increase with time.
The risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you by creating an antibody (immune system) response without having to experience sickness.
Meyerson said getting vaccinated also protects people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.