How Soon Can You Get Your Booster Shot After a COVID-19 Infection?
Written by Leslie K. Hughes
Medically reviewed by Dr. Monique White-Dominguez
According to the CDC vaccine data tracker, 41.5% of Americans are fully vaccinated and up to date on their boosters, and 51.8% are eligible for a booster shot but have yet to receive it. Those who received their first vaccine series at least five months ago are eligible for a COVID vaccine booster shot to add further protection.
While the CDC says that “current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant,” breakthrough infections are possible for fully vaccinated people. In addition to that, it is still not known exactly how long the vaccines last. As stated by the CDC, “recent studies show that protection against the virus may decrease over time.” That’s why it’s important to stay on top of boosters as new strains of COVID-19 are likely to emerge and as the vaccines may lose their potency over time.
As of now, the “CDC recommends getting only one COVID-19 booster shot.”
But what if you recently became infected with COVID-19? How long do you have to wait to get your booster shot? Read on to find out.
When can I get my COVID-19 booster?
If you recently became infected with COVID-19, you can get your booster shot as soon as your quarantine period is over. As of December 2021, the isolation guidelines were updated. They now state that if you test positive for COVID-19, you must stay home for 5 days. If, after those 5 days you are free of symptoms, you can leave your house as long as you wear a mask when around others for an additional 5 days. If you have a fever that persists even after 10 days, then you need to stay home until the fever goes away.
Once that 10-day period is over and you no longer have a fever or any other symptoms, then you can get your booster. Per the guidance of the CDC, people who had COVID can get their booster as soon as their isolation period is over.
However, some doctors are telling patients to wait at least 30 days, maybe even 90 days after a COVID-19 infection to get their booster. The rationale behind that is due to the concept of natural immunity. Though scientists and doctors are not exactly sure how long you are in the clear after being infected with COVID-19, it is thought that the chances of getting infected with the virus again within a 90-day period are very slim.
A study done by Johns Hopkins suggested “that natural immunity may increase protection of the shots when there is a longer time period between having COVID-19 and getting vaccinated.” The study showed that antibody levels for COVID were higher for a longer period in those who got COVID and then were later vaccinated than those who were only vaccinated and not infected.
The data show that one month after they got their second shot, participants who had had COVID-19 more than 90 days before their first shot had adjusted antibody levels higher than those who had been exposed to the coronavirus more recently than 90 days. Three months after the second coronavirus vaccine, the antibody levels were even higher: 13% higher than those who were exposed to the virus less than or equal to the 90-day mark.
However, with how new the Omicron variant is, scientists are unsure of exactly how long a COVID-19 infection may keep you immune. More research needs to be done to determine this.
Who should get the COVID-19 booster shot?
The CDC advises boosters for different ages, depending upon which vaccination you received.
Pfizer: Anyone 12 years and older
Moderna: Adults 18 years and older
Johnson & Johnson: Adults 18 years and older
Should I get the COVID-19 booster if I have recovered from COVID-19?
Yes – it is advised that you get a booster shot following your recovery from COVID.
The CDC states it is important to get boosted even if you have already been infected with COVID and recovered because “research has not yet shown how long you are protected from getting COVID-19 again after you recover.”
