- About 22% of the U.S. population is partially vaccinated.
- Two of the approved vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) come in two parts, so you are only partially protected.
- If you are partially vaccinated, you can go to the doctor, but you should avoid the bar.
- Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Since millions of people get COVID-19 vaccines a day, this may be normal.
President Joe Biden has announced that by May 1, every American is eligible for a vaccine, Johnson & Johnson and Merck are increasing production of the latest vaccine approved in the US, and vaccine hunters are making sure no shot is unused.
As more people get their first dose of Pfizer or Moderna (the two approved vaccines that require two doses), questions like “can I eat indoors?” or “throw away my mask?” is currently trending on Google.
There is a good amount of time – about three to four weeks – to wait between the first and second dose. And it takes another two weeks after your second survey before you are fully protected. (J&J takes about a month after the single dose for full immunity to start.)
The CDC has issued guidelines on what is safe for people who have been fully vaccinated – from family members to eating indoors. But these guidelines only apply to a small portion of the population.
A large portion of the U.S. population – about 72 million – is partially vaccinated. There are no federal guidelines for this group, asked Insider Amesh Adalja, an expert in infectious diseases at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, about what activities are safe.
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No.
Although a single dose provides you with some protection, rods can be hotspots for COVID-19 distribution.
During the summer, hundreds of COVID-19 cases were linked to pubs. The enclosed space, shouting and closeness of other people is the perfect environment for COVID-19 to spread.
Nevertheless, if you fancy a drink and are partially vaccinated, then try drinking outside and keep away from others. Adalja said to stay away from popular busy bars with screaming people and rather go to a low wine bar where people are sitting.
(If you are fully vaccinated, you can go to a bar. If you are not vaccinated at all, you can not.)
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Yes.
“A person who has been partially vaccinated has a lower risk of contracting the infection or being a spread of the infection than someone who has not been vaccinated,” Adalja told Insider
So if you have put on a haircut but you have a single dose, it is a low risk to go to the salon. But if you decide to hack, you need to keep the talk to a minimum as you can still emit viral particles.
(Vaccinated or not, the mitigating strategies, such as wearing a mask and social distance, make salons a safe environment.)
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Yes.
There is a high chance that your dentist has been fully vaccinated, as health workers were first in line to get the chance. The partial immunity to the vaccine, combined with the vaccination status of the front-line healthcare worker, means that there is a low chance of getting COVID-19.
Dentists wear gloves and masks and have added extra safety precautions to combat the spread of COVID-19. What’s more, there were no cases of COVID-19 transmission in the dentist from May to September.
Delay in dental care can lead to gum disease, which is associated with greater risk of dementia,
heart disease
, and rheumatoid arthritis.
(Whether you have been vaccinated completely, partially or not at all, you should still go to the dentist.)
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Yes.
Similar to dentists, primary care physicians are likely to be fully vaccinated and there are safety measures such as masking, distancing, and symptom control. The chance of getting COVID-19 is very low between a person who has been fully vaccinated and partially vaccinated.
The postponement of a doctor’s visit during the pandemic has led to disruptions in chronic care and missing diagnoses. People will face these consequences for years to come.
(Regardless of your vaccination status, you should still see a doctor.)
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No.
“Someone who is partially vaccinated after about two weeks after the first dose has significant immunity to the virus, at least for a period of time,” Adalja said.
Yet it is a risky step to eat inside. A CDC study found that those who tested positive for COVID-19 had eaten at a restaurant twice before. In another study, it was found that a teenager from someone 20 meters away was infected with COVID-19.
If you want to go to a restaurant, consider going out to eat or planning a picnic.
(Fully vaccinated can eat indoors, as long as everyone in their party has the same vaccination status. Vaccines should not eat indoors.)
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Yes.
“It will all be individualized on a person’s risk tolerance and what value they attach to the specific activity they want to do,” Adalja said.
If you are partially vaccinated and this is important to you, there is a low chance of contracting COVID-19. But if you’re still nervous about the risk, meet outdoors or plan a FaceTime call.
Cautious, unvaccinated couples can get creative and plan a preparation with the ingredients in the pantry or create a spa day at home.
(If you are not vaccinated but want to be up to date, then plan a virtual meeting. Dating is safe for people who are fully vaccinated because there is a low risk of contracting COVID-19.)
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Yes.
“You are less likely to carry the virus if you have been vaccinated with a single dose than you were when you were not vaccinated,” Adalja said.
Whether you are immune to COVID-19 or not, hospital safety measures and vaccinated health workers create a low-risk environment. An operation is more important than going for a routine checkup, as an untreated condition is more dangerous than getting COVID-19. Thus, people who are fully, partially and not vaccinated should not postpone an operation.
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Yes.
If you are partially vaccinated and fall on the risk tolerant side, you can go to the gym as long as you follow the rules.
“I think it’s safer than not being vaccinated at all,” Adalja said of people who have been partially vaccinated.
Adalja added that people who have been partially vaccinated should follow the same recommendations as everyone at the gym – wear a mask, keep social distance and wash your hands.
(Follow vaccines and non-vaccines should also follow COVID-19 mitigation strategies.)
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Yes.
“A staff that has been partially vaccinated is better than zero who has been vaccinated,” Adalja said.
Offices are drawing up plans for a safe return to the office as soon as this summer. Adalja said that most offices should have measures for social distance, masking and hand washing rules, and maybe even those who are inside and outside the office.
“If you have one dose of vaccine, it is much safer than not having any doses of a vaccine.”
(If you are fully vaccinated or not, wear a mask when you return to the office.)
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Yes.
“I think it’s safe for you to have a single dose of a vaccine, and it’s safer for other people around you,” Adalja said.
Although the single dose can give you peace of mind. It is important to wear a mask and keep your distance from others.
(People who are fully vaccinated should also wear a mask. If you are not vaccinated, try to avoid public transportation.)
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Yes.
Although partially vaccinated people do not have the same immunity as those with the second dose (or the only dose with J&J), it is relatively safe to give a short hug.
If you are very careful, the CDC’s new guidance said that plenty of vaccinated grandparents can safely give their grandchildren hugs so that people who are partially vaccinated can count down the days before they can give their family members a mask-free hug.
(If you are not vaccinated but want a hug, wear a mask and make it fast.)
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Yes.
“A person who has been partially vaccinated has a lower risk than before he was vaccinated,” Adalja said.
He added that it is not so much the mode of transport that is risky, and it is more what you do when you travel. So if you are partially vaccinated and decide to travel, avoid crowded places and stay inside your bubble.
(People who are fully vaccinated can travel safely. In fact, even Biden travels domestically. If you do not have a sting, try to avoid travel.)