CDC Updates Guidelines For Vaccinated Americans

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has expanded on a cautious new set of guidelines for Americans who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

CDC guidelines explain that Americans who are two weeks past their second dose of the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines or two weeks past a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are the only Americans who are considered “fully vaccinated.”

Those who are ‘fully vaccinated’ may visit other fully vaccinated people indoors without masks. Fully vaccinated people may also meet indoors with people who are not vaccinated, but only if the unvaccinated party is “low risk.” Vaccinated people may also skip quarantine requirements and do not need to be tested if exposed to a person with COVID-19.

The CDC’s new guidelines, however, don’t give vaccinated people free rein. The vaccinated must still wear a mask outside at all times and practice social distancing.

“COVID-19 continues to exert a tremendous toll on our nation. Like you, I want to be able to return to everyday activities and engage with our friends, families and communities,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in a White House briefing Monday. “Science, and the protection of public health must guide us as we begin to resume these activities. Today’s action represents an important first step. It is not our final destination.”

Walensky notes that the CDC has not changed their do-not-travel advisory, which has been in place for almost a full year. “Every time there’s a surge in travel, we have a surge of cases in this country,” she warned. Walensky says that before the do-not-travel recommendation can be lifted, the center must collect more data about how transmittable COVID-19 is from vaccinated people.

Current estimates from President Joe Biden say that the United States will have enough vaccine supply for every adult to be immunized by the end of May. 

Article by Brandon Mumei