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COVID-19 vaccines: Get the facts

Coronavirus vaccine research Coronavirus vaccine challenges Pathways to develop and produce a COVID-19 vaccine The vaccine development timeline How to protect yourself and prevent COVID-19 infection Content What are the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine? Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine even if I've already had COVID-19? What COVID-19 vaccines have been authorized or approved and how do they work? Can a COVID-19 vaccine give you COVID-19? What are the possible general side effects of a COVID-19 vaccine? What are the long-term side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines? Can COVID-19 vaccines affect the heart? What is the connection between the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and Guillain-Barre syndrome? What are the symptoms of a blood clotting reaction to the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine? Do the COVID-19 vaccines protect against the COVID-19 variants? Are COVID-19 vaccines free? Can I get a COVID-19 vaccine if I have an existing health condition? Is it OK to take an over-the-counter pain medication before or after getting a COVID-19 vaccine? Is there anyone who should not get a COVID-19 vaccine? What are the signs of an allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine? Can I get a COVID-19 vaccine if I have a history of allergic reactions? Can pregnant or breastfeeding women get the COVID-19 vaccine? Can a COVID-19 vaccine affect fertility or menstruation? What COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for kids? If children don’t frequently experience severe illness with COVID-19, why do they need a COVID-19 vaccine? How did the FDA determine the safety and effectiveness of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use in kids ages 12 through 15? Can I stop taking safety precautions after getting a COVID-19 vaccine? Can I still get COVID-19 after I’m vaccinated? Are COVID-19 vaccine additional doses or boosters recommended?

Should I get the COVID-19 vaccine even if I've already had COVID-19?

Getting COVID-19 offers some natural protection or immunity from reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19. But it's not clear how long this protection lasts. Because reinfection is possible and COVID-19 can cause severe medical complications, it's recommended that people who have already had COVID-19 get a COVID-19 vaccine.

In addition, COVID-19 vaccination might offer better protection than getting sick with COVID-19. A recent study showed that unvaccinated people who already had COVID-19 are more than twice as likely as fully vaccinated people to be reinfected with COVID-19.

Recent research also suggests that people who got COVID-19 in 2020 and then received mRNA vaccines produce very high levels of antibodies that are likely effective against current and, possibly, future variants. Some scientists call this hybrid immunity. Further research is needed.

If you were treated for COVID-19 with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, wait 90 days before getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

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