What Can I Do Once I’m Vaccinated?

For some people, the decision to get the COVID vaccine is easy. For others, it’s a difficult decision that requires careful consideration of both the benefits and risks of immunization. While the biggest benefit of vaccination is the much lower risk of contracting the virus, vaccination is also the first step towards loosening restrictions and participating in some of the activities that have been absent for the last year. Just remember that while the risk is decreased once vaccinated, the risk never goes to zero. We recommend continuing to social distance and wear as mask for the time being.

So, what can you do once you’re vaccinated?

1. Skip the quarantine. Fully vaccinated people do not have to quarantine after exposure to COVID, according the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They must have had both shots, with at least two weeks having passed since the second shot (and not more than three months). This is great news for people who may have a sick child or family member. If you do, however, start experiencing symptoms contact your primary care physician.
2. Leave your house. While we still don’t know how long protecting from the vaccine lasts, fully vaccinated people can breathe a little easier when going to restaurants and running errands. It’s still important to wash your hands and wear your mask, but you don’t have to feel anxious when you’re out in public once you’ve been vaccinated.
3. Go back to the office. Some people love the newfound acceptance of working from home during the pandemic, but there are others who miss the comradery and motivation of the physical office building. If you’re ready to get back in the office, you can feel a lot safer doing so once you’re fully vaccinated. Make sure your office space is well-ventilated and at least 6 feet from others working near you.
4. Visit other vaccinated people. Your risk of infection is significantly decreased by becoming fully vaccinated, and so is the risk of other vaccinated people. While experts stop short of recommending dinner parties, your risk of infection in a group of other vaccinated individuals is very low. We encourage everyone who fits the criteria to get vaccinated because with every person in your group that gets vaccinated, the risk gets less and less.

To be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, you need two doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Then, it takes about two weeks to reach your maximum level of immunity. Clinical trials have proven that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in market are about 95 percent effective in preventing cases of COVID-19. While these vaccines require two doses, other one-dose options aren’t far away.

Keep in mind that no vaccine is 100% effective and there is still much we don’t know about how long protections against COVID last. So, continue to wash your hands, wear a mask in public, and avoid risky situations. But don’t be afraid to take some small steps towards normalcy after your vaccine.

Click here for more information about the COVID-19 vaccine or to schedule your vaccine appointment at Baton Rouge General.