Most people who have COVID-19 get better within a few days or a few weeks after infection.  However, up to 30% of people who have been infected with COVID-19 develop Long COVID (also known as Post-COVID) symptoms. These symptoms present after the acute COVID-19 infection (typically 4 weeks after acute infection has cleared) and may include persistent fatigue and fever, impaired respiratory and heart function, and neurological symptoms.

_{Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, December 16). Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions. Section Symptoms. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/long-term-effects/index.html}  

The benefits of being vaccinated far outweigh the risks of severe illness, hospitalization, death, Long COVID, and other negative outcomes.  Social workers have an ethical and professional obligation to follow Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines to protect themselves, their students and their families, their colleagues, and their loved ones. Social workers are encouraged to follow vaccination guidelines from the CDC and be "up to date" on vaccinations. "Up to date" includes being fully vaccinated AND receiving timely boosters. The NASW website Connect to End COVID-19 provides resources on how social workers can promote vaccine uptake by students and families in the community.

_{NASW.  Section Infectious Diseases. Retrieved May 11, 2023, from https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice/Infectious-%20Diseases/COVID-19-Vaccine-Confidence}