On March 8th, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released guidance for individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This release follows recent CDC guidance on masks, vaccines, and quarantines.
CDC Definition of Fully Vaccinated
According to the CDC, an individual becomes “fully vaccinated” when the following has occurred:
- 2 weeks has passed after their second dose in a 2-dose series, like the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines; or
- It has been 2 weeks since they received a single-dose vaccine, like Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.
If less than 2 weeks have passed since an individual’s last shot, they do not qualify as fully protected. Accordingly, if a person received the first shot but not yet the second dose, they also cannot qualify as fully protected. Any individual who falls into those examples should keep following all prevention steps until they are vaccinated.
Overview of the Guidance
According to the CDC’s release, fully vaccinated individuals can now do the following:
- Gather indoors with other vaccinated people without wearing a mask; and
- Congregate indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks. However, if any of those people has an increased risk for illness from COVID-19, gatherings without masks should not occur.
Additionally, if an individual was around someone who has COVID-19, they do not need to stay away from others. The vaccinated person also does not need to get tested unless they themselves have symptoms. However, a person living in a group setting, and around someone who has COVID-19, should quarantine for 14 days. They should also make an appointment for a COVID test, even if they don’t have symptoms.
In spite of the new guidance, however, the CDC wants vaccinated individuals to still remain cautious during the pandemic. First, individuals should still take steps to protect themselves and others from possible infection. This includes wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces. Second, people should still delay domestic and international travel. If a person does travel, they need to follow CDC requirements and recommendations. Third, even vaccinated people should continue to watch for symptoms of COVID-19. If these symptoms do develop, individuals should get tested and begin quarantine procedures.