That does not mean they should stop taking precautions, the CDC noted in updated guidance. They just do not have to quarantine.
“Fully vaccinated individuals who meet the criteria no longer need to be quarantined after exposure to someone with COVID-19,” the CDC said in updating its vaccination website.
“Vaccinated individuals with exposure to someone with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 need not be quarantined if they meet all of the following criteria,” the CDC added.
The criteria: It must be vaccinated completely – both shots have been at least two weeks since the second shot. This is because it takes two weeks to build up full immunity after the second dose of vaccination.
However, the CDC says it is not known how long protection lasts, and therefore people who had their last shot three months ago or more should still be in quarantine when exposed. They should also be quarantined if they show symptoms, the CDC said.
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“This recommendation to waive quarantine for people with immunity obtained through vaccines is consistent with quarantine recommendations for people with natural immunity, which facilitates implementation,” the CDC said. The agency will update guidance as more is learned.
People who have been vaccinated should still look for symptoms for 14 days after being exposed to someone who is infected, the CDC said.
And everyone, vaccinated or not, should take all other precautions to prevent the spread of the virus, the CDC said. This is not the least, because it is possible that even vaccinated can stop the virus in their noses and throats and transmit it to others.
“At present, vaccinators should continue to follow current guidelines to protect themselves and others, including wearing a mask, staying away from others at least 6 meters away, avoiding crowds, avoiding poorly ventilated areas, covering coughs and sneezing, hands are washed regularly, following CDC travel guidelines, and following any appropriate workplace or school guidance, including guidance regarding the use of personal protective equipment or SARS-CoV-2 testing, “the agency said.
Vaccinations prevent symptomatic diseases, but asymptomatic diseases have not yet been shown to occur, the CDC noted. While asymptomatic people can spread coronavirus, the CDC said, “it is suspected that symptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission play a greater role in transmission than pure symptomatic transmission.”
The CDC said the benefits of not locking people up unnecessarily for two weeks.
“These criteria can also be applied when considering work restrictions for fully vaccinated healthcare professionals with exposure to higher risks, as a strategy to alleviate staff shortages. It is striking that exposed healthcare professionals are not required to be quarantined outside of work. , the CDC said.
“With the exception of the above guidelines, which no longer require quarantine for fully vaccinated persons, vaccinated patients and residents in health care establishments must continue to remain in quarantine after exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19; outpatients must be cared for by the appropriate transfer-based precautions, “the CDC added.
This is because it is not clear how effective the vaccine is for people admitted to the hospital.
Although not preferred, healthcare facilities may consider waiving quarantine for vaccinated patients and residents as a strategy to mitigate critical issues (eg lack of space, staff or PBT to safely care for exposed patients or residents) “If other options are unsuccessful or unavailable, these decisions can be made in consultation with public health officials and infection control experts.”
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