Do I need the vaccine if I’ve already had COVID-19?

There seems to be a common question out there: Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine, even though I have already had the virus and recovered? 

Well, the short answer is YES!

With new strains becoming more contagious and some more deadly it’s important to get vaccinated, even if you have already had COVID. The vaccine for COVID-19 is more effective than the disease itself in teaching your immune system how to respond, even to the new strains. Even if you have antibodies already, getting the vaccine will help protect you from a more serious case of COVID-19 in the future. And if that’s not enough of a good reason, studies show that the protection it provides probably lasts longer.