CDC updates guidelines for those with COVID vaccines

The CDC announced new guidelines for those who’ve been fully vaccinated for at least two weeks. We talked about the new recommendations with Will Humble, Executive Director of the Arizona Public Health Association.

CDC Guidelines for those vaccinated

According to the CDC, those who’ve been fully vaccinated can gather with other fully vaccinated people without wearing masks. Those fully vaccinated can also gather with unvaccinated people from one other household without masks unless someone is high-risk. If someone who is fully vaccinated is exposed to someone with COVID-19, they don’t have to isolate or get tested for COVID-19 unless they are experiencing symptoms.

Humble said he’s happy with the new recommendations. “I think it was thoughtful, it was based off evidence, it wasn’t overly conservative and it recognized that we have to start showing people when you’re vaccinated, there are liberties that come with that. There are changes in your personal life and that builds more momentum for more people wanting to get vaccinated,” Humble said.

Good news for seniors

Most people who have been vaccinated have been seniors due to appointment age requirements. The CDC’s latest guidelines gave those seniors some good news.

“So many seniors have been locked away in their houses for so long and they miss their kids and grandkids. Once they’ve got their second vaccine and wait a couple of weeks, it gives them permission to start seeing family members and go to their church book club and be in person without masks, if everyone else vaccinated. Even the extended guidance says if you used to go a gym, go ahead and go workout. You still gotta wear your mask, you gotta comply with the rules in that gym. But start living your life again, and start taking some of those freedoms you’ve been missing, including visiting family members,” Humble said.