COVID-19 Conversations: What does it mean to be fully vaccinated?

As the number of fully vaccinated people grows, we want to keep you informed. Current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that more than one-fifth of all Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination and more than one-tenth are fully vaccinated.

The CDC considers someone fully vaccinated two weeks after they receive their last dose of a vaccine. You and your clients may have questions about what that means and what precautions to take when fully vaccinated. As of March 24, 2021, the CDC says:

• Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
• Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
• Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic

People who are fully vaccinated should continue to:

• Take precautions in public like wearing a well-fitted mask and physical distancing
• Wear masks, practice physical distancing, and adhere to other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease
• Wear masks, maintain physical distance, and practice other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households
• Avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings
• Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
• Follow guidance issued by individual employers
• Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations

We encourage you and your clients to check the CDC guidelines often as they may change.