Hot Topics in Public Health

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week released new guidance on how vaccinated individuals can interact socially in a safe way.

The biggest takeaway in the media is that a vaccinated person is safe to visit a household of people and unmask if that household is one unit (i.e., no multiple families) and the family members are at low risk of COVID complications. The common example used is grandparents who are vaccinated and past the immunity window (2 weeks post final shot) are able to visit their grandchildren without wearing masks.

The CDC also noted that two sets of households where everyone is fully vaccinated may interact inside without wearing masks. The implication is that the immunity from the vaccines is strong enough that vaccinated people interacting not in public are safe to resume "normal" interactions. Also, a fully vaccinated person does not have to quarantine if they come into contact with a COVID-positive person unless the vaccinated person shows symptoms of COVID-19.

The CDC stressed that being fully vaccinated does not mean people may go without masks and social distancing while in public. In fact, the CDC still recommends the following:

• Avoiding crowded and poorly ventilated spaces
• Not gathering with unvaccinated people from multiple households
• Delaying travel and if you do need to travel, following CDC requirements and guidelines
• Monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms
• Following workplace guidance

CDC interim Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People

Background rationale and evidence for public health recommendations for fully vaccinated people