How To Remain Safe From COVID-19 After A Vaccine

Across the country, the COVID-19 vaccine continues to be distributed at a steady rate. In fact, according to a recent report by NPR, nearly 40 percent of the population in the United States has received at least one dose of a vaccine. As the percentage of those vaccinated continues to increase, restrictions are being rolled back in some cities and states. Despite the recent updates to restrictions, it’s imperative that you take precautions even if you have received a COVID-19 vaccine.

Many of these preventive measures are the familiar tips that were encouraged at the start of the pandemic, such as social distancing and wearing a mask. In addition to these helpful tips, Banner Health has you covered with additional ways you can keep safe even if you are vaccinated.

Continue To Wear Your Mask

For the past year, wearing a mask (whether it be a cloth mask or surgical mask) has been touted as one of the primary ways you can protect both yourself and others against COVID-19. Why is it still important to wear a mask even if you’ve received a vaccine? Wearing a mask is key in stopping the spread of COVID-19 because the duration of the vaccine’s protection is an area of ongoing study, and peak protection isn’t immediate after the second shot.

“We anticipate that the vaccines will make the possibility of spread less likely, but that has yet to be proven,” says Ayrn O’Connor, MD, director of the medical toxicology fellowship at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. “Although the vaccines are very effective, their peak protection is not reached for two weeks after the second shot.”

When wearing a mask, there are a handful of important notes to keep in mind. Make sure your mask fits securely and snugly around your nose and mouth, remove it by holding onto the side straps/ties, and be sure to wash your cloth masks after each use.

Keep Your Social Circle Small

Even if you’ve been vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still recommends that you avoid medium and large in-person gatherings and maintain physical distance when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households. (Keep in mind that an individual is considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the two-dose series of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.) By keeping a small circle or attending small gatherings, you are less likely to contract or spread the virus.

Learn More About Shrinking Your Social Circle

Familiarize Yourself With Travel Guidelines

According to the CDC, fully vaccinated travelers are less likely to get and spread COVID-19 and can now travel domestically at low risk to themselves. For fully vaccinated people traveling within the United States, quarantining may not be necessary, but showing a negative test result before boarding a flight is vital to slowing the spread (some destinations may even require a negative COVID-19 test).

For fully vaccinated individuals traveling internationally, there is a stricter set of guidelines. Fully vaccinated travelers coming to the United States from abroad by air, including United States citizens, are still required to have a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States.

It is also recommended that international travelers arriving in the United States get a COVID-19 test within three to five days after travel regardless of vaccination status.

Avoid Destinations With Eased Restrictions

As you begin to plan your travel for the warmer months ahead, it may be tempting to choose popular destinations that have made themselves wide open to tourists given their lifted mask mandates and limited restrictions. Unfortunately, these lifted mask mandates and limited restrictions paired with an increase in tourists can be tough on locals and could possibly put you at risk.

Rather than traveling to a spring/summer hot spot, go local with a destination close to home. No matter where you live, there’s bound to be an exciting new town that’s a mere hop, skip and jump away which you’ve yet to discover.

Learn More About Traveling During A Pandemic

Stay Vigilant

In order to put the pandemic behind us, we must all remain vigilant about wearing our masks, keeping our distance and thoroughly washing our hands. For those who have been vaccinated, consider sharing your experience. While this might seem like an unexpected step in slowing down the pandemic, a number of people are still hesitant about taking the vaccine. If you feel comfortable sharing your experience, there’s likely a listening ear ready.

“Once you’ve received your vaccine, be sure to share your experience with others. If you have a friend that is nervous about the side effects or the vaccine itself, your story could be all it takes to help them feel better about their own vaccination,” Dr. O’Connor reveals.

As always, being informed is another great defense against COVID-19. Banner Health is here to keep you aware of the latest news regarding the COVID-19 vaccine with updates, insight and more.

Get The Latest News And Updates On The COVID-19 Vaccine From Banner Health

Sources:

Banner: Mask Up: Wear This, Not That to Protect Others
Banner:What Can I Do After My COVID-19 Vaccination?
Banner:A Guide to Shrinking Your Social Circle
Banner: COVID-19 Vaccine
Banner: Beaches and BBQs: Planning for a Safe, Vaccinated Summer
CDC: Interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
NPR: What Does Vaccine Inequality Look Like?