From the Texas Medical Association:

Many people assume that once you’ve had COVID-19, you’re immune from getting re-infected. That assumption is mistaken, says San Antonio infectious disease specialist Jan E. Patterson, MD, a member of the Texas Medical Association’s COVID-19 Task Force. 

 “The problem is that immunity [from catching the disease] can vary a lot from person to person, and it wanes over time,” she said. “We’ve definitely seen people get reinfected, and sometimes the infection is more severe the second time. So, we definitely recommend that people get vaccinated, even if they’ve had a natural infection.” 

For people who’ve already been sick with COVID-19, the question shouldn’t be whether but when to get vaccinated, including with the booster, Dr. Patterson says. For most patients, that means waiting at least 10 days after the initial diagnosis and after all symptoms have resolved. However, the length of time can vary based on the patient’s symptoms and treatment. 

Vaccines are not just for high-risk patients such as those who are old or have compromised immune systems, Dr. Patterson adds. People who are young and otherwise healthy can be reinfected and should get vaccinated to protect themselves and those around them. 

“It’s not only about you,” she said. “It’s about protecting other people as well.”  

There is a lot of misinformation about vaccines, so each month Texas Medicine highlights common concerns that patients raise about immunizations. This material is designed to help you talk to your patients and help them understand the benefits of vaccines. Find printable infographics and helpful videos for your patients at www.texmed.org/TalktoPatients and through Vaccines Defend What Matters, the Texas Medical Association’s integrated, multimedia public health education and advocacy effort, at www.texmed.org/VDWM.