What Does it Mean to be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19?
In the United States, nearly 2.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are being administered every day. More than 40 million Americans have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) or two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer or Moderna). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, fully vaccinated people can start doing some of the things they stopped doing because of COVID-19.
People who have been fully vaccinated:
- can gather indoors with other fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask;
- can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household without masks, unless anyone has an increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19; and
- do not need to quarantine or get tested if they are exposed to someone with COVID-19 yet remain symptom-free. (The CDC recommends that people living in a group setting should still isolate for 14 days and get tested, even those without symptoms.)
More must be learned about the COVID-19 vaccine, so for now, the CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people should still take precautions (masks, social distancing, etc.) when in public, when gathering with unvaccinated people from more than one other household or when visiting with an unvaccinated person who is at increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 or who lives with someone else who is. According to the CDC, fully vaccinated people should also:
- avoid medium or large-sized gatherings;
- delay domestic and international travel;
- watch out for symptoms of COVID-19; and
- follow guidance at your workplace.
The CDC will continue to update its recommendations as more is learned about the COVID-19 vaccines. In the meantime, the CDC is urging everyone, including those who are fully vaccinated, to continue taking precautions when recommended.
The Human Equation prepares all risk management and insurance content with the professional guidance of Setnor Byer Insurance & Risk.