Because it is possible to be reinfected with COVID-19, it is important that people who have already had COVID-19 be vaccinated. You should still get vaccinated to be fully protected against getting COVID-19 again. Research suggests that vaccination is the best protection against COVID-19. In a study of more than 7,000 people across nine states, researchers found that those who were unvaccinated and had a recent infection were five times more likely to have COVID-19 than those who were recently fully vaccinated and did not have a prior infection. Vaccination can provide a higher, more robust, and more consistent level of immunity to protect people from hospitalization for COVID-19 than infection alone for at least 6 months.

You can get the vaccination as soon as your isolation is over and your symptoms are gone. You should not get a vaccination while sick or during your isolation period to avoid spreading the virus to others. You can delay vaccination until 90 days after you were diagnosed because you have natural immunity.

For more information on the difference between isolation and quarantine, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/index.html.