COVID-19 vaccine frequently asked questions

Should someone who is COVID-19-positive receive the vaccine?

No. People who are known to have COVID-19 should wait to be vaccinated until their isolation period has ended, usually 10 days after symptoms started or, if they didn’t have symptoms, 10 days after their test was positive.

Should people who have had COVID-19 be vaccinated?

Yes, people who have previously had COVID-19 should be vaccinated.

What are the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine?

COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting sick from COVID-19. Experts continue to conduct more studies about whether the vaccines also keep people from spreading COVID-19. Wearing masks and social distancing help lower your chance of getting the virus or spreading it to others, but these measures are not enough. The combination of getting vaccinated and following recommendations will offer the best protection from COVID-19.

How will vaccines work against COVID-19 variants, like the one that appeared in the United Kingdom?

It is normal for viruses to change as they spread, and for new variants to appear. Scientists are working to learn more about whether the vaccines we already have will protect people against COVID-19 variants. So far, studies suggest that currently authorized vaccines provide protection from the variants.