Once vaccinated, you still can spread the virus to others until enough people have been vaccinated that the coronavirus runs out of places to hide from the antibodies — so called herd immunity.

Published: February 4, 2021

Once you have your initial and booster COVID-19 vaccinations, you still need to wear a mask, practice social distancing and keep your hands clean. The vaccine helps protects you from developing COVID-19, but you still can spread it to others.

Vaccinations can help prevent illness and limit the coronavirus’ ability to spread in your system. But you still can spread the virus to others until enough people have been vaccinated that the coronavirus runs out of places to hide from the antibodies — so called herd immunity.

“Our job as a society is to look out for those who are at risk of developing COVID-19 and to try to protect them,” said Joseph M. Flynn, D.O., MPH, FACP, chief administrative officer of Norton Medical Group and physician-in-chief of Norton Cancer Institute. “Until enough people build up immunity through vaccination and the virus has nowhere to replicate, it’s going to be important for all of us to continue to wear masks, keep 6 feet apart and keep our hands clean.”

Why you should continue masking, distancing and washing after vaccination

• The vaccine helps protect you from getting sick. But it’s possible you could still catch the virus and spread it to others even if you don’t have symptoms.
• While the first dose may provide protection, without the second dose, immunity may not last. The job of the first dose is to get your immune system geared up and begin the immune process which also enhances the response to the second dose.
• The vaccines have proven to be extraordinarily safe and incredibly effective — protecting more than 90% from getting COVID-19 which is the illness associated with the corona virus. Importantly, a major aspect of the vaccination is it prevents severe illness in patients.
• People with suppressed immune systems — people with conditions that make them immunocompromised or those on certain cancer drugs — may not develop a robust immune response after vaccination.

What you can do once vaccinated

• You’ll be fully vaccinated a week or two after your second dose. That doesn’t mean your life goes back to normal. You’ll be safer when grocery shopping, but you must continue to wear a mask and avoid large groups and indoor gatherings.
• If you have a group of family and friends who have been vaccinated, it should be safer to visit with them. But continue to be careful. As long as the virus has hosts where it can replicate and it is still circulating, you are at risk since the vaccine isn’t 100% effective. Also, be mindful of anyone who may have a suppressed immune system — the vaccine may not be as effective for them — or is at high risk of severe COVID-19.
• Once the weather warms up, life could feel a bit more normal as outdoor activities provide a safer way to be around others.

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