The severity of a COVID-19 patient's symptoms affects how long they should wait to get the vaccine later, a physician says.
What You Need To Know
- As of Friday, 24 million COVID-19 cases have been reported in US
- Doctor says for those with mild symptoms, vaccine wait is much shorter
- LINK: CDC 90-day recommendation info
- SEE ALSO: Are two masks better than one?
- More Coronavirus headlines
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends anyone who had severe symptoms and treated with the monoclonal antibody therapy should wait for at least 90 days before they get the vaccine.
“Although they’ve had what we call natural immunity, they still have that risk of getting worse side effects from the vaccine,” says Dr. Luisa Mena of True Health.
Mena said for those with mild symptoms, the wait is much shorter.
“If the person is feeling better and recovered fully, and out of quarantine, they’re able to get their vaccine,” Mena said.
That news comes as a relief for Amada Ochoa, 65, who is one of the thousands of Floridians trying to book an appointment for a COVID-19 vaccine. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 last July and wants to prevent her chances of reinfection.
“I lost my sense of smell and taste. I also had a severe cough, but my husband and I were both able to beat it,” Ochoa said. “We want to get vaccinated. We need to get over the fear of vaccines for our good and for everyone else.”
Ochoa registered to get the vaccine and now waits for her appointment.
As of Friday, January 22, John Hopkins University reported more than 24 millions COVID-19 cases in the U.S.