The Do’s and Don’ts After Getting The Coronavirus Vaccine

As the coronavirus vaccine gets rolled out, persons have a lot of questions. One that pops up often is “Can we go back to how things were now?”. The answer is a complicated one. While getting the vaccine is an important step, there are some things that still won’t change. Here’s what you need to know. 

Nothing Changes Until You’re Fully Vaccinated

You may already know that the coronavirus vaccine is not a ‘one-and-done’ injection. After the first shot is delivered, you’ll be given an appointment to get the second (or booster) shot within a few weeks of the first. You’re not considered to be fully vaccinated until you’ve received both shots.

That means you should still take all the precautions you would have taken before starting the vaccination process. 

Even after being vaccinated, it’s important to note that the vaccines are not considered to be 100% effective.

That means, there’s still a risk of being infected with COVID-19. This is on top of the fact that there are variations of the virus against which the current vaccines may not be effective at all.

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Additionally, scientists still don’t have enough information to determine if persons who’ve been vaccinated can still carry the virus and infect others. 

It’s also been noted that the vaccination takes approximately two weeks to become fully effective after both shots have been administered. 

The Do’s and Don’t’s After Being Fully Vaccinated

While being fully vaccinated is great, doctors stress that it’s not a reason to give up all the protection measures you’ve been practicing so far. Here are the things you still need to know when you’re vaccinated. 

• You’ll still need to wear a mask in public. The majority of the population still hasn’t been vaccinated. 
• It’s still best to keep your distance. 
• You may have small gatherings with others who’ve been vaccinated but wear a mask and keep your distance.
• It’s recommended that you stick to essential travel only. Vaccination isn’t a reason to start planning your vacation. Other countries have different vaccination timelines and so you run the risk of being exposed. 
• Avoid visiting persons who haven’t been vaccinated. If you must visit persons who are unvaccinated, stay at a safe distance, wear a mask, and ensure that the area is properly ventilated. 
• You’ll still need to wash your hands often. Being vaccinated doesn’t mean that the virus isn’t still lurking on surfaces. 
• You should still be careful around persons who are high-risk. While states have prioritized persons who are likely to be affected by COVID-19, the small percentage of uncertainty about the vaccine’s effectiveness means they could still get the disease.

The Way Forward 

Unlike other vaccines, there is still a lot that scientists need to learn about the effect the coronavirus vaccine has on the body. Two key areas they need to determine are how long the vaccine lasts and how often it may need to be re-administered.

Since this information will only become clear over time, it makes it even more essential for persons who are vaccinated to remain cautious when interacting with others. 

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In time, it’s possible that the coronavirus vaccine could become an annual event just as the flu shot is included in everyone’s yearly health check-ups. 

The Final Word

If it seems like many things are staying the same after the vaccination, that’s because they have to. Being vaccinated doesn’t stop you from getting the disease, it only gives your immune system the tools it needs to deal with it more aggressively.

In other words, you can still catch the coronavirus when you’ve been vaccinated. However, the vaccine means you’ll be less likely to have the terrible symptoms that come with the disease and the odds of dying are significantly lower. 

As scientists learn more about the effectiveness of the vaccine, it’s likely that the restrictions will be adjusted.

Until then, it’s recommended that even those who are fully vaccinated continue to play it safe. It will be better for everyone in the long run.