How Long Does COVID-19 Last if You’re Vaccinated?

Many people have chosen vaccination against COVID-19. As with other respiratory viruses, updated vaccines are offered periodically. But even if you’re vaccinated, you can still get sick.

As with cases of the flu, there’s still a chance the virus that causes COVID-19 could break through your immune system’s bolstered defenses. When breakthrough cases like this happen, the virus can get you sick, or at the very least, cause you to be contagious until the virus wears off.

Breakthrough cases of COVID-19 are actually more common than you might think, but they’re far less dangerous than if you were infected with the virus while unvaccinated. Infectious disease expert Steven Gordon, MD, explains why you can get COVID-19 after you’re vaccinated, and how a post-vaccine infection will likely affect you in different ways.

Breakthrough COVID-19 cases

A breakthrough case is when a person tests positive for COVID-19 at least two weeks after becoming fully vaccinated (which includes receiving the latest COVID-19 vaccine).

Breakthrough cases are common occurrences, and they were always expected in some fashion, as we see it happen with other viruses like the flu. You can get infected from any COVID-19 variant that’s circulating, even those you’ve been vaccinated against. You can also get infected more than once by the same or different variants. But the most important thing, despite having been infected, is knowing that the likelihood of your symptoms being severe is greatly reduced compared to if you weren’t vaccinated.

How common is it to get COVID-19 after being vaccinated?

It’s common for someone to still get COVID-19 even though they’ve been vaccinated. But it’s difficult to estimate exactly how many people get infected after having the vaccine because most cases tend to be asymptomatic (meaning you experience no symptoms) or mild. And people are less likely to get tested for COVID-19 if they’re not exhibiting any symptoms or if it seems like the average common cold.

What are COVID-19 symptoms like in people who are vaccinated?

If you’ve been fully vaccinated for COVID-19, you’ll likely experience the same typical symptoms associated with unvaccinated COVID-19 cases — but the symptoms you experience will likely be few, less severe and resolve at a much faster rate. Some of the symptoms you’ll possibly experience include:

• Fever.
• Chills.
• Cough.
• Sore throat.
• Fatigue.
• Headache.
• Muscle aches.
• Loss of smell.

“Many breakthrough cases are either asymptomatic or have symptoms that are far less severe than cases in unvaccinated patients,” Dr. Gordon notes. “The updated vaccines are intended to help reduce the risk of severe illness and may make infections easier to manage.”

How long are you sick?

Recovery time varies by person and variant. Many vaccinated people report symptoms lasting several days to about two weeks.

Can you still spread COVID-19 if you’ve been vaccinated?

You can still spread COVID-19 even if you’re vaccinated, but the length of time you’re contagious is much shorter than if you skipped out on getting a vaccine.

Studies have found vaccinated people may have a shorter period of contagiousness than those who aren’t vaccinated, but the exact window can vary.

If you’ve been exposed or feel sick, check current guidance from your healthcare provider and local health authorities. Some people — especially older adults or those with health conditions — may choose added precautions (for example, a high-quality mask) in crowded indoor settings.

Bottom line

If you’re considering vaccination or a booster, discuss your age, health conditions, prior infections and timing with your healthcare provider. Many people — especially older adults or those with underlying conditions — choose vaccination to reduce the risk of severe illness, and some also opt for added precautions in crowded indoor spaces during surges.