What can I do once I have been fully vaccinated

In general, people are considered fully vaccinated:

• Two weeks after their second dose of a 2-shot series, such as Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
• Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Persons who have a condition or take medications that weaken the immune system should continue to take all precautions until advised otherwise by your healthcare provider.

If you’ve been fully vaccinated:

You can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic.

• To reduce the risk of being infected and possibly spreading it to others, wear a well fitted mask indoors in public places.
• If you are not fully vaccinated and aged 2 or older, you should wear a well-fitted mask in indoor public places.
• In general, you do not need to wear a mask in outdoor settings.
• In areas with high numbers of COVID-19 cases, consider wearing a mask in crowded outdoor settings and for activities with close contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.

You can travel.

If you travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel.

• You need to pay close attention to the situation at your international destination before traveling outside the United States.
• You do NOT need to get tested before leaving the United States unless your destination requires it.
• You still need to show a negative test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding an international flight to the United States.
• You should still get tested 3-5 days after international travel.
• You do NOT need to self-quarantine after arriving in the United States.

Wearing a mask over your nose and mouth is required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and while indoors at U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and train stations. Travelers are not required to wear a mask in outdoor areas of a conveyance (like on open deck areas of a ferry or the uncovered top deck of a bus).

For persons who live outside the United States and are considering travel to the United States, please visit International Travel for further information.

What if I get exposed or have symptoms?

You should still get tested if you’ve had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 or if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

If you’ve had close contact with someone who has COVID-19, you should get tested 5-7 days after your exposure, even if you don’t have symptoms. You should also wear a well fitted mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until your test result is negative.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested and stay home and away from others. See a healthcare provider if you are really sick.

If your test result is positive, isolate at home for 10 days.

You will still need to follow guidance at your workplace and local businesses.

Adapted from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html Last Updated Oct. 15, 2021. Content source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases