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Yes, you need the COVID-19 vaccine if you have already been infected

April 21, 2021

Your natural immunities do not last forever.

(Paducah, Ky.) April 21, 2021— There are several reasons why people who have been infected with COVID-19 should still get the vaccine when they are eligible. This includes people who have serious cases, involving hospitalization, as well as mild and even asymptomatic infections.

Your natural immunities do not last forever.

“Once you’ve recovered or otherwise been cleared of COVID-19, your level of antibodies will begin to wane,” said Baptist Health Paducah Chief Medical Officer Brad Housman, MD. “Remember, everybody will respond differently, and this virus is still relatively new. So, science doesn’t yet have enough data to predict how long antibody protection will last from one person to another.”

How Long After My COVID-19 Infection Should I Get the vaccine?

It is rare for reinfection to occur in the first 90 days after recovery, but significant reductions in immunities due to neutralizing antibodies begin in the first few months. If you have had the virus and completed a quarantine period, you can receive the vaccine when it is offered to you.

Baptist Health Paducah offers the Moderna vaccine to anyone 18 years or older. The Moderna vaccine is a two-shot regime, taken 28 days apart. Go to www.ScheduleYourVaccine.com to schedule an appointment. The vaccines are not fully protective until two weeks after the final shot.

Continuing Precautions

Regardless of whether you have been infected or received the vaccine, it remains important to maintain precautions to prevent spreading:

  • Wear a mask in public and maintain a safe distance from others
  • Wash our hands frequently and thoroughly or use hand sanitizer
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Disinfect frequently touched surfaces in our homes
  • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue

Be Safe, Be Informed

To learn more about COVID-19, visit the Baptist Health COVID-19 Resources page. More information about available vaccines and any new variants can also be found at the CDC.