How long after having COVID-19 should you get vaccinated? – MLive.com

January 5, 2022

Individuals who have been infected with coronavirus are still recommended to get vaccinated -- including booster doses -- as a means to reduce risk of reinfection, according to local and federal health officials.

But how long should they wait after infection? Doctors say it varies based on severity of infection and if you received antibody treatment.

For individuals who dont require hospital care for their COVID-19 illness, the recommendation is to be vaccinated as soon as youre symptom free and beyond your 10-day quarantine window. The main reason to delay is to avoid infecting others at the vaccination site.

Patients who need hospital care for COVID-19 should wait 10 days after they are released from the hospital, according to Dr. Asha Shajahan, medical director of community health for Beaumont Hospital in Grosse Pointe. Additionally, those who needed to be intubated in the ICU should wait 20 days after they leave the hospital.

If an individuals received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma as a means to treat COVID-19, they should delay receiving a COVID vaccine for 90 days, according to the CDC.

The reason for that is that your immune system is not functioning at its highest capacity and we want you to get vaccinated when your immune system is working the best because then you will provide yourself with the best protection, Shajahan said.

Linda Vail, health officer for Ingham County, said monoclonal antibodies already provide some protection against coronavirus, delaying the need for immediate vaccination as an avenue for protection.

For everyone else?

You can get vaccinated as soon as youve recovered, Vail said. If youre well and out of isolation, you can get vaccinated.

As of Dec. 30, nearly 6.34 million Michiganders had gotten at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, or about 63.5% of residents 5 years and older. About 5.3 million had been fully vaccinated, and about 2.2 million received a booster/third dose.

The CDC acknowledges that it doesnt have enough data to know the optimal timing to receive a vaccine after infection. However, it notes protection from a COVID-19 vaccine is more reliable, consistent and predictable than protection from previous infection, which can vary by age and severity of illness. There is also evidence that vaccination reduces risk of reinfection.

To find a vaccine near you, eligible residents can visit Michigans COVID-19 vaccine website or go to VaccineFinder.org. Shots are available through health systems, pharmacies, health departments, physicians offices and other enrolled providers.

If you have any COVID-19 questions that youd like answered, please submit them to covidquestions@mlive.com to be considered for future MLive reporting.

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