If my child had COVID already, do they need the vaccine?

Shaquita Bell, MD, FAAP

Answer

Yes, the vaccine will help protect your child from getting COVID again. Plus, getting fully vaccinated will help prevent serious illness or hospitalization if they do get infected again with SARS-C0V-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Watch this video to learn more reasons why its important for everyone in your family to get the COVID vaccine once they are eligible.

More information

Editor’s note: This video produced by Kaiser Family Foundation under its Greater Than COVID public information response and is presented with the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

Shaquita Bell, MD, FAAP

Shaquita Bell, MD, FAAP, is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Washington, and Interim Senior Medical Director of the Seattle Children’s Hospital Center for Diversity and Health Equity. She practices pediatrics at Seattle Children’s Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic.

Last Updated: 5/23/2022

The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.