SALT LAKE CITY – As the COVID-19 vaccination campaign progresses and more Utahns become protected, people are wondering when they can get together with loved ones who have already been vaccinated.
Some people over 70 will be fully vaccinated soon, but is it too early to visit?
Dr. Emily Spivak, an associate professor of medicine in the University of Utah Health’s Department of Infectious Diseases, said we still need to be careful around people who have been vaccinated.
On the bright side, the vaccines prevent that person from contracting a symptomatic infection and serious illness. But researchers don’t know how well the vaccines prevent asymptomatic infection, or people’s ability to spread the virus without knowing they are sick.
So the best recommendation is to continue to follow local health guidelines.
“We should not change our behavior until a very large part of the population has been vaccinated,” said Spivak.
We still need to avoid travel, mask it and socialize, the doctor said. But Spivak also acknowledges that many of our loved ones have been extremely isolated for nearly a year, and she understands that some people are at risk of getting closer.
“When you go to visit, it shouldn’t be between the first and second dose, and it should be at least two weeks or later after the second dose,” she said.
That gives the vaccinated individual time for maximum protection.
If meeting with someone who has recently been vaccinated, Spivak said wear a mask, keep your distance, and meet outside if you can.
“Don’t be completely on your guard,” she said. “Still applying some of those basic mitigation strategies we’ve talked about to prevent asymptomatic transmission – ideally with masks.”
The vaccines available so far appear to protect against variants of the virus emerging in the United States. Even if the vaccines have reduced efficacy against the variants, they appear to be very protective against serious illness and hospitalization.
If you’re available for a vaccine, she said they all provide the protection we need.
“The sooner we can get people to take them, regardless of which vaccine you are offered, the sooner we will get ‘herd immunity’, or enough of the population protected that we will slow down the transmission of this vaccine. and maybe get back to normal, ”she said.
It is another aspect of this vaccination campaign that requires a lot of patience.
“I think we are moving in the right direction. I would like it to speed up and spread more widely, but I am optimistic we will get there,” said Spivak.
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Jed Boal