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CDC: INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE RECEIVED TWO DOSES OF COVID-19 VACCINE CAN SKIP QUARANTINE
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that vaccinated individuals continue to wear masks, exercise social isolation and avoid poorly ventilated areas and crowds.
After exposure to anyone with the infection, individuals who have undergone the full course of Covid-19 vaccinations may avoid the normal 14-day quarantine as long as they remain asymptomatic, US public health officials advised.
Late on Wednesday, the CDC said the vaccines were shown to prevent symptomatic Covid-19, thought to play a greater role than asymptomatic disease in the transmission of the virus.
“The potential but unknown risk of transmission (among vaccinated individuals) may outweigh the individual and societal benefits of avoiding unnecessary quarantine,” said the CDC.
Fauci: Vaccinations can speed up in April
Meanwhile, Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease specialist, said he expects the rate of vaccination to increase significantly by April, NBC’s Today show said.
“It’s going to be “open season by the time we get to April,” meaning virtually everyone and anyone in any category could start getting vaccinated.” Fauci said.
The CDC suggests that vaccinated individuals continue to wear masks, exercise social distancing, and avoid poorly ventilated environments and crowds. This is because there is still little evidence on whether the vaccine is capable of preventing infection and for how long it offers protection against the virus.
These guidelines could shift as more study data on transmission is published, and as more individuals are vaccinated.
For people who will no longer have to quarantine following vaccines, the agency has set specific guidelines, including having received all doses of a two-dose vaccine.
People who prefer not to quarantine can only do so if they have received their last dose within three months, and should only stop quarantine for 14 days after their last injection, the time it takes for immunity to grow, the CDC said.
Completely vaccinated people who are not in quarantine can continue to check for symptoms for 14 days after exposure.
In-patients and long-term care home residents should continue to quaratine
In addition, the department also recommends that in-patients and long-term care home residents be quarantined following exposure to Covid-19 because there is less evidence on the efficacy of the vaccine in this population and because of the high risk of infection and death.
Pfizer, Inc and Moderna, Inc’s two-dose vaccines have been approved for emergency use in the United States. Last week, Johnson & Johnson applied for US approval for its single-dose shot.
The CDC mentioned that its loosened quarantine guidelines only apply to people vaccinated with these two products, as vaccinations which are available in other countries have not been routinely tested.