Before the shot, it is a good idea to prepare for post-vaccination steps listed here. This short guide takes you step-by-step.
We first published a version of this story on January 7th. Moreover, it is worth repeating.
For those Just Receiving the Vaccination
You need to wear a mask to receive the vaccination. More, it protects you and others, too.
The vaccine is given in two doses. Even if you receive the first dose, it will not protect you for getting the virus. Some still contracted the virus after the initial dose.
If You Received the Vaccination
First, thank you!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is asking those that receive the vaccination to keep following the safety steps. There are several reasons for this.
First, it is critical to zoom out and acknowledge that we are in a pandemic. And therefore, we need to respect that. The vaccination at this point is considered by the CDC as a preventative step. But not the preventative step. It does not replace the recommended safety steps.
But that will change in the future. We just do not know when. And here is why.
Vaccines are typically issued with a known life span. For example, the tetanus vaccine is good for a decade.
But we are fighting a pandemic. And we do not have the leisure to figure out exactly how long the vaccine covers. That will take time. But researchers did prove that it works and it is safe. And that is key.
As the CDC explains, experts need to understand more about the protection that vaccines provide before deciding to change recommendations. And experts have to learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide under real-life conditions.
Other factors, including how many people receive it and how the virus is spreading in communities, will also affect this decision.
Socializing with other Vaccinated Individuals
On March 8, the CDC loosened its guidelines somewhat. Here are their recommendations:
For now, the CDC is asking vaccinated individuals to still where masks and follow other safety steps in public spaces. However, they loosened their standards in other circumstances. They include:
- Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or staying 6 feet apart.
- Visit with unvaccinated people from one other household indoors without wearing masks or staying 6 feet apart if everyone in the other household is at low risk for severe disease.
- Refrain from quarantine and testing if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 after contact with someone who has COVID-19.
Illustration by Olha Khomich