According to the CDC, fully vaccinated adults may resume activities indoors or outdoors without masks. The announcement is a significant step forward in the effort to recover from the COVID-19 in the U.S. But can do we really do not need to mask up after full vaccination for COVID-19? Let’s unleash the truth behind it.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the CDC, released the latest guidelines on Thursday.
You can do things you couldn’t do before the pandemic, according to Walensky. According to her, the new policy follows recent real-world research from Israel and the U.S.
In response to a question, Walensky said that the federal mask requirement on public transportation is still in force for all passengers, buses, trains, airplanes, stations, and airports, whether vaccinated or not.
Whom Should We Consider Fully Vaccinated?
It’s important to know which form of vaccine you got to determine if you’re fully vaccinated.
For vaccinations that need two doses, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, you are completely vaccinated two weeks after getting the second dose.
For Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine, which comes in a single dose, you are completely vaccinated two weeks after getting the dose.
You are not completely vaccinated until you have completed the mandatory 2-week waiting period. Also, you must continue to take all precautions, including wearing a mask.
It’s also important to note that if you have a medical condition or are taking medicine that weakens your immune system. Then you’re not fully protected even if you’re completely vaccinated. In this case, you must continue to mask up after full vaccination. If you’re unsure whether you fit this description, consult your doctor.
COVID-19 vaccines, like other vaccines, do not provide 100 percent protection, even though they are effective
Data from Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson show that the vaccines are extremely effective. But they do not provide 100% protection against COVID-19 infections. These are known as “breakthrough” cases. Although they are rare, they highlight the importance of mask up after full vaccination.
According to Richard Watkins, even if you just get a mild illness, the vaccine will make COVID-19 infections less serious.
It is also uncommon for any vaccine to be 100 percent effective. The measles, mumps, and rubella virus vaccine (MMR vaccine), for example, is 97 percent effective in preventing measles. But the medical community regard it as highly effective. In fact, measles “eliminated” in the United States in 2000, according to the CDC. This means there has been no continuous transmission for more than a year. Recent outbreaks occurred in groups of people who did not get the vaccine.
The COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective. Still, until the pandemic is under control, you’ll need to wear masks in most public places to help minimize the spread of the virus.
5 Reasons To Mask Up After Full Vaccination
Dr Englund explains that those who have already got the vaccine should continue to wear masks:
1. It Takes Some Time for The Vaccine To Kick In
You will not reach the nearly 95 percent efficacy levels until two weeks after your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. You do get a partial immune response after the first dose, which is good news. But it doesn’t mean you’re immediately protected the minute a doctor inserts the needle into your arm. Two weeks after your single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you are considered completely vaccinated.
2. Vaccines Do Not Provide Complete Protection
The vaccines are extremely successful (and the turnaround was nothing short of a miracle). But they only provide 94 percent to 95 percent protection. There is no way of knowing who would be among the 5% who do not respond to the vaccine. They will remain at high risk for COVID-19.
The measles vaccine is 97 percent safe after two doses. The vaccine program started in the United States in 1963. But the disease was not eliminated until 2000!
3. Many Who Have Received Vaccinations Can Be Asymptomatic Spreaders
The vaccines protect against infection. But we need further research to determine if they also protect against transmission. Experts are worried that vaccinated individuals can become infected without showing symptoms. And then, they can infect those who have not yet got the vaccine. Since the pandemic began nearly a year ago, scientists have been worried about silent spreaders or infected people but do not show symptoms. If vaccinated people do not continue to wear face masks until more people are completely vaccinated, the virus will continue to spread. Getting vaccinated reduces the chances of becoming ill and having symptoms. So we must protect others while waiting for their turn to receive the vaccine.
4. Many Who Have Received Vaccinations Can Be Asymptomatic Spreaders
We know that people who have serious medical conditions (such as heart disease or cancer) are more likely to develop a severe case of COVID-19. And, this group was not included in clinical trials. So we cannot assume that they would have the same efficacy rate.
You should not take it if you have had an allergic reaction to any of the vaccine’s ingredients. If you had an allergic reaction to the first dose, the CDC recommends taking the second dose. We recommend avoiding those who are considered high-risk and are not vaccinated if you are fully vaccinated.
5. The Vaccine Is Only Available In Small Amounts
More than 330 million people in the United States need to get the vaccine, with experts predicting that 50 to 80 percent of the population will need to be inoculated to reach herd immunity. This could take us until the end of 2021.
When And Where You Should Mask Up After Full Vaccination
If you’re out in public with people whose vaccine status you don’t know, Wesley Long, a researcher at Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas, recommends wearing a mask.
Masking is also a smart idea if you are in a crowded area or a big group. Most evidence shows that vaccinated individuals are unlikely to spread the virus if infected. But, Long said, if you are spending more time with high-risk or unvaccinated individuals, it would be helpful to mask up after full vaccination to help protect them.
Work, education, planes, restaurants, grocery stores, and other retail outlets are all examples of places where you should wear masks, according to Long.
The Bottom Line
The CDC has relaxed its guidelines to mask up after full vaccination. Still, it is necessary to wear them to protect those around you. You should continue to wear masks indoors, in crowded environments, and around people whose vaccination status is uncertain outside your home. You should also wear a mask if you have frequent contact with high-risk or unvaccinated people.
According to experts, wearing masks would be necessary even after becoming vaccinated until the disease’s prevalence has been significantly reduced.
