Should fully vaccinated people still be quarantined after exposure to COVID-19?

People still have a lot of questions about the COVID-19 vaccines. Frank McGeorge, local 4, is working to answer as much as possible.

READ: More answers to COVID-19 questions

Since the vaccines began rolling out, thousands of viewers have submitted specific questions about the shots.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its guidelines as they learn more about the new vaccines and new strains. The CDC’s recommendations may evolve as quickly as new information becomes available.

According to the latest CDC guidelines, people who have not been vaccinated need to be quarantined after the exposure if they meet everyone of the following criteriaL

• Is fully vaccinated

• Within 3 months of receiving the last dose

• Remained asymptomatic since exposure to COVID

At first glance, the three-month limit may sound bizarre, but the goal is to protect as many people as possible based on the imperfect information we currently have. As we learn more, the guidelines will be reviewed.

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The three-month time frame comes from estimates of how long protection lasts after a natural infection.

READ: CDC: When to Quarantine

We do not know exactly how long the vaccines will protect people – it can take much longer than three months – but only time will tell. For now, the lead is three months.

The participants in the original studies used to obtain the emergency use authorization are longer than three months from their vaccinations, and follow-up data on the duration of immunity is expected to be available soon.

One thing we do know is that the vaccines prevent people from dying or becoming seriously ill with COVID-19, and that certainly makes it worthwhile.

MORE: Questions about coronavirus (COVID-19)? Ask for Dr McGeorge

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