With more and more San Diegans being vaccinated against COVID-19, the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency is reminding the community that it is too early to stop using facial masking and social aloofness. These measures are needed in the near future to slow the spread of the virus.
While the two FDA-approved vaccines have shown promising results in clinical trials, it takes several weeks for the immunizations to be fully effective. In addition, it is not yet known whether a vaccinated person could potentially catch and spread COVID-19 to someone who has not been vaccinated.
“Even if some of your elderly relatives and friends have received their vaccinations, we recommend that you delay their visits until later this year, when you are also fully vaccinated and protected,” says Wilma J. Wooten, MD, MPH, County Public health inspector. “The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, but we can only end this pandemic once herd immunity is achieved.”
Herd immunity refers to the stage of the pandemic when a majority of the population is immune to the virus, either because a person received the vaccine or because they developed antibodies after a COVID-19 infection. Public health officials say we need to vaccinate up to 80% of the US population to achieve immunity to herds.
So far, just over 10% of San Diegans ages 16 and older have received at least one of the two injections needed to develop antibody protection against the virus.
Until a majority of the region is fully protected, San Diegans must limit their interactions with people outside of their household. While small gatherings are currently allowed, they should be limited to no more than three households and interactions should take place outdoors. People should also keep their distance and wear a face cover.
“To end this pandemic, we need to take advantage of all the tools available,” said Wooten. “For now, we need to be a little more patient and continue to mask and socialize and get a vaccination so we can get back to normal as soon as possible.”