Is It Safe to Get a COVID-19 Booster While You Have COVID-19?
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The CDC recommends booster shots — even in people who had a breakthrough case of COVID-19.
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If you have active symptoms of a COVID-19 infection, you shouldn’t get a booster shot until your symptoms have fully resolved.
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If you’ve had a recent COVID-19 infection and get your booster, the shot should still work as intended.
Delay getting your booster if you’ve tested positive or have symptoms of COVID-19
The CDC advises to wait to get your booster shot if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19. According to the latest CDC criteria, you should isolate — even if you have no symptoms. If you're positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms, you should isolate and wait until your symptoms resolve before you get your booster shot.
Delaying your booster after a COVID-19 infection serves two purposes:
1) It will allow your body enough time to recover, so it can respond to the booster shot properly.
2) You will be much less likely to infect other people if you are still contagious.
Connect with your healthcare provider if you need advice about when you should get your booster shot.
How long should you wait to get the COVID-19 booster shot after you have had COVID-19?
Early in the pandemic, the CDC recommended waiting 90 days after a COVID-19 infection to get a vaccination. Now that there’s a better understanding of the COVID-19 virus, the guidelines have changed. According to the CDC, after a COVID-19 infection, you can get a booster if:
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Your symptoms have resolved.
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You’ve isolated for the recommended period of time.
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It has been 3 months (90 days) since you received monoclonal antibodies.
Since the guidelines can change based on the latest COVID-19 information, check the CDC guidelines and touch base with your primary care provider before you get your booster.
What if you get boosted without knowing you have COVID-19?
You may get infected with COVID-19 right before or after your booster shot. This is partly because it takes about 1 week for the booster shot to work. If you accidentally get boosted during a COVID-19 infection where you have symptoms, you may have exaggerated, or more intense side effects. But harm is unlikely. And most importantly, the shot should still work to boost your immune system the way it’s supposed to.
What if you have mild cold or flu-like symptoms (stuffy nose, headache) and test negative for COVID-19? You can still get boosted, according to the CDC. But be sure to wear a mask to the vaccine site in order to protect yourself and others.