Vaccines protect you against COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death. They also make it significantly less likely that you will transmit COVID-19 to others.

COVID-19 infection can result in death and illness in people of any age. COVID-19 is highly contagious, especially the newer variants such as Delta and Omicron. Even if a person does not die of COVID-19, they may have long-term complications (long-hauler syndrome) including memory loss, fatigue, unexplained breathing difficulties, and damage to the lungs and heart. Clinics have already been set up to support the many COVID-19 patients who, although they are no longer infected, cannot go back to work or live a normal life.

Even if you had COVID-19 in the past, it is uncertain how long immunity will last, and whether that immunity will protect you against new variants. It is possible to get COVID-19 again. You should still get the vaccine to protect yourself and others.