What To Do After Getting COVID Vaccine: Tips And General Safety Advice

Nothing in recent memory has been more devastating than the current outbreak of the COVID-19. But human resilience can't be trounced. Experts worldwide poured down all their scientific knowledge to find out a cure, a vaccine which can minimize infection's severity. This guide talks about "what to do after getting COVID vaccine."

If you have been fully vaccinated, congratulate yourself. You have contributed to the effort to defeat this deadly infection. CDC recently has rolled out its new guidelines for people who have been fully vaccinated. If you are one of them, here is what you can do after you're fully vaccinated.

What Does 'Fully Vaccinated' Mean?

It's better first to understand the term 'Fully Vaccinated' means so as not to put yourself or any other person you meet at unnecessary risk.

According to the CDC, a fully vaccinated person is the one who meets the below-given criteria;

• Two weeks have passed since the second dose of a two-dose vaccination program like Covishield and Covaxin.
• Two weeks have elapsed after the dose of a single dose vaccination program like that of the Janssen vaccine from Johnson & Johnson.

If you or any of your family members do not meet the criteria mentioned above, you are not fully vaccinated yet, and you should continue abiding by the COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

What To Do After Getting COVID Vaccine?

Suppose you have followed the complete vaccination program according to the CDC criteria. In that case, there are certain things you are now at the liberty of doing again that were restricted due to the Covid 19 pandemic:

You Don't Have to Wear A Mask All Day Long

Yes, that's correct; the CDC states that fully vaccinated people can do without masks in public places. There are no restrictions on following the 6 feet distance protocol if you are among people who have been fully vaccinated. Experts say that there is very little chance that you will contract the virus again if you are around people fully vaccinated.

However, it would be wise to wear a mask if you are in a public gathering or traveling on public transport. On the other hand, it is not compulsory; if you want to continue wearing a mask, then it's well and good. It is just a guideline that now you are safe even without a mask among people who are fully vaccinated.

Furthermore, experts believe that it would help if you continue to wear a mask in certain places and situations. You see, a mask is not all about your protection; it's for the other people, too, who may be near to you. 

Nevertheless, there is not enough data about whether vaccinated people could transmit the disease or not. Vaccination does reduce the risk significantly; however, until we have more data, we can't be 100% sure.

It's Now Safe To Travel Within The Country

New guidelines released on 13 May by CDC state that it is now safe to travel within the country. The guidelines further state that a person fully vaccinated is at low risk of getting or spreading the COVID-19 virus.

However, the guidelines also urge people to follow all safety protocols while traveling on public transports. It means not traveling without a mask and maintaining social distancing norms as much as possible.

There is a slight chance that people traveling could contract mutated variation of SARS-CoV-2. There is little data about the effectiveness of vaccines on new variants. However, most infectious experts agree that domestic travel is safe after undergoing an entire Covoid-19 vaccination procedure.

As far as international travel is concerned, a person fully vaccinated won't need to produce a COVID-19 negative report before leaving the country. Furthermore, any such traveler won't have to quarantine itself after returning to the US unless showing symptoms that could point to COVID-19 exposure.

What Should You Still Abide By Even After Full Vaccination?

Even after full vaccination, there are several things you should still abide by. The CDC guideline cites the precautions one should still take even after getting a full dose of the Covid 19 vaccine.

Follow All Covid Related Guidelines At Your Workplace

If there are covid related guidelines imposed at your workplace, you should most certainly follow them to the point. This is essential for the safety of your colleagues and yourself.

Follow All Travel Related Guidelines For COVID-19

If you have to travel within the country or outside of it, follow all the Covid protection protocols. Wear a mask while traveling on public transport like buses, trains, or planes. International travelers arriving in the country are still required to get tested for COVID-19 3 to 5 days after arrival.

Be Extra Careful If You Take Medicine To Suppress Immune System

People with auto-immune diseases have to take medicine that weakens the immune system. If you take any such medications, you should discuss with your doctor how much leniency you can afford regarding the COVID protocols.

Such people have to be extra careful even after full vaccination. Moreover, if you have any other condition which requires you to take regular medication, you must follow all the COVID-19 safety protocols.

Watch Out For Covid Related Symptoms

Vaccination doesn't mean you are entirely immune to COVID-19. There is still a chance, though minuscule, that you can get sick with COVID-19. Therefore, you have to be vigilant and watch out for symptoms that could indicate a COVID infection. If you experience any symptoms, you should immediately isolate yourself from others and get tested.

Related Read: 7 Ultimate Benefits Of Getting A COVID-19 Vaccine (#2 Will Delight You)

Conclusion

While life may not fully revert to pre-covid like conditions even after full vaccination, you will still have a lot of freedom in your everyday life. It's true that you still have to go by several restrictions; the vaccine is a way of getting your life back on track after the devastation brought by a coronavirus. 

At Plum, we understand the need for health insurance. Therefore, we have designed our health insurance plans to cover various situations without spending a fortune. If you have a good health insurance policy, you can be prepared to face even the worst of health emergencies. Say hello to Plum!

FAQ

Q. How effective are the COVID-19 vaccines against new variants of the virus, and what research is being done to update vaccines accordingly?

‍A. Current vaccines show varying effectiveness against new variants. Researchers worldwide are studying these impacts. They're also working on vaccine updates to ensure better protection. This ongoing process helps keep the vaccines relevant and effective against emerging variants.

Q. What specific guidelines should fully vaccinated people follow when interacting with unvaccinated individuals, especially in private settings?

‍A. Fully vaccinated people should still practice caution. It's wise to wear masks and maintain distance, especially with vulnerable or unvaccinated individuals. These measures protect everyone involved. Understanding and respecting these guidelines helps prevent the spread of the virus in mixed vaccination status gatherings.

Q. Are there any long-term studies on the potential side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, and where can one find this information?

‍A. Long-term studies on COVID-19 vaccines are ongoing. Preliminary data suggest the vaccines are safe, with monitoring continuing. For updates, one can check reputable health websites and government portals. These sources offer the latest findings and information, ensuring the public remains informed about vaccine safety.