As increasing numbers of San Diegans are vaccinated against COVID-19, the San Diego Agency reminds the community that it is too soon to stop using face masks and social distances. These measures will be necessary for the foreseeable future to slow down the spread of the virus.
While the two FDA-approved vaccines have shown promising results in clinical trials, it takes a few weeks for the vaccinations to be effective. In addition, it is still unknown whether a vaccinated person could possibly catch and spread COVID-19 to someone who has not yet been vaccinated.
“Even if some of your older family members and friends have received their vaccination, we urge you to postpone visits with them until later this year when you will also be fully vaccinated and protected,” said Wilma J. Wooten, managing director, MPH, provincial public said. health officer. “The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, but we can only end this pandemic once herd immunity is reached.”
Herd immunity refers to the stage of the pandemic in which the majority of the population is immune to the virus, either because someone has received the vaccine, or because they have developed antibodies after a COVID-19 infection. Public health officials say we need to vaccinate up to 80% of the U.S. population to bring about herd immunity.
So far, just over 10% of San Diegans’ 16-year-olds have received at least one of the two shots needed to develop antibody protection against the virus.
Until a majority of the region is fully protected, San Diegans must limit its interaction with people outside their households. While small gatherings are currently allowed, it should be limited to a maximum of three households, and the interaction should take place outside. People should also keep their distance and wear a face mask.
“To end this pandemic, we will have to make use of all available tools,” Wooten said. “For now, we need to be a little more patient and keep masking and distancing ourselves, as well as getting a vaccination so we can get back to normal as soon as possible.”