COVID-19

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It can be very contagious and can spread quickly. COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. It may attack more than your lungs and respiratory system. Other parts of your body may also be affected by the disease. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill. 

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


Staying up to date with a COVID-19 vaccine can: 
- Help prevent serious illness and death due to COVID-19 for both children and adults.
- Helps prevent you form needing to go to the hospital due to COVID-19.
- Lower long-term risk for cardiovascular complications after COVID-19. 

Factors that can affect how well you're protected after a vaccine can include your age, if you've had COVID-19 before or if you have medical conditions such as cancer. 

How well a COVID-19 vaccine protects you also depends on timing, such as when you got the shot. And your level of protection depends on how the virus that causes COVID-19 changes and what variants the vaccine protects against.

Talk to your healthcare team about how you can stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. 

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


Yes. Catching the virus that causes COVID-19 or getting a COVID-19 vaccination gives you protection, also called immunity, from the virus. But over time, that protection seems to fade. The COVID-19 vaccine can boost your body's protection. 

The virus that causes COVID-19 can change, also called mutate. Vaccination with the most up-to-date variant that is spreading or expected to spread helps keep you from getting sick again. 
COVID 19 Fact Sheet 1
COVID 19 Fact Sheet 2