Should I Delay the Vaccine If I Get Exposed to COVID?

Yes. If you happen to get exposed to COVID before your first vaccine or between doses, you may be wondering what to do.

What does it mean to be exposed?

You have been exposed if you have been in close contact (within 6 feet for a total of 15 or more minutes) with someone with COVID starting 48 hours before the person had symptoms or tested positive.

How long should I wait?  Why do I have to wait?

The CDC recommends that people with a known COVID exposure wait until their quarantine period has ended. This will help protect everyone at the vaccination site from exposure to COVID.

If you currently have COVID, you should wait until your isolation period has ended and your symptoms are better (with the exception of loss of smell and taste). Even if that means delaying your second shot.

Last update: January 7 2022, 3:30 pm ET

Science review: ERS, JAB, GSN