What Should I Do After I Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

People who receive a COVID-19 vaccine need to continue taking safety precautions to protect others from COVID-19. It is currently unclear whether getting the COVID-19 vaccine will prevent you from spreading the virus to others.

Below are items to consider after receiving a vaccine, as well as safety guidelines you should adhere to for the time being. Experts are still working to better understand the virus and will release more information when it becomes available. 

[The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages you to contact your state health department to find more information on when you can get a vaccine.]

How long does it take to become immune following complete vaccination?

It typically takes a few weeks for the body to build immunity following vaccination. Early research into the two vaccines currently available in the U.S. indicate that individuals will begin to build immunity to the virus 10 to 14 days following their first dose, with full immunity typically appearing seven to 14 days following the second.

Can I still give COVID-19 to someone else if I’m vaccinated?

It is still unknown if getting the COVID-19 vaccine will prevent you from spreading the virus to others. For this reason, the CDC recommends that people continue to do the following, even after vaccination:

• Wear a mask when you leave your home
• Maintain six feet of space between yourself and those who do not live with you (and wear a mask)
• Avoid crowds
• Limit your contact to those in your household.
• Avoid poorly ventilated spaces
• Practice good hand hygiene (wash hands often with soap and water and use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available)

Learn more about ways you can help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Can I see family and friends after I’ve been vaccinated? 

It is recommended that you continue to follow all safety guidelines issued by the CDC even after being vaccinated. If your family and friends are not in your household, you need to take proper precautions to see them if necessary.

If friends or extended family (parents/grandparents, etc.) are vaccinated and I am vaccinated, can we socialize?

The bottom line is that there is a still a level of risk involved in seeing other people, even if everyone is vaccinated. We still don’t fully understand the effect of the vaccine(s) on COVID-19 variants; additionally, while vaccines are greatly helpful in protecting you from getting severely ill with the virus, there is still a small chance you can  contract it and spread it to others. Even if vaccinated, the vaccine efficacy is not 100%. 

As a result, if you are vaccinated, and if the person you are seeing is also vaccinated, you will still want to quarantine before seeing them (check the CDC for specific guidelines). The safest option remains socializing outside (outdoors) with other people who are vaccinated or continuing to quarantine until the pandemic subsides.

Can I travel after receiving the vaccine?

Travel increases the chance of getting and spreading COVID-19. Even after becoming fully vaccinated, postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

How long does immunity from the vaccine last?

The period of time someone is immune to the virus following vaccination is currently unknown. Because clinical trials only began in the summer of 2020, researchers are still collecting information on the effectiveness of the vaccine.

It is uncommon for people to become reinfected for 90 days following a COVID-19 infection. However, this natural immunity can vary from person to person.

Do I need a booster shot after receiving the vaccine?

No. Currently, there are no specific recommendations for booster doses. 

Does the vaccine protect against emerging strains of SARS-CoV-2?

There is currently limited information regarding the effectiveness of FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccines against emerging strains of the virus. Early research indicates the vaccine may be more protective against some variants than others.

The discovery of emerging strains does not change the recommendations for vaccination, and people should not put off receiving the vaccine in the hopes of getting one that is potentially more effective against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Can I still get COVID-19 if I receive a vaccine?

While low, there is a chance someone can still get COVID-19 following vaccination, which also makes it important to follow safety precautions. None of the vaccines are 100% effective. In clinical trials, the Moderna vaccine was 94.1% effective in preventing COVID-19, while the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 95% effective. This was after participants took both doses of each vaccine.

The good news is that each vaccine was 100% effective in preventing severe forms of COVID-19 — but again, that doesn’t mean you couldn’t spread it to someone else if contracted.

When the time comes for you to get a COVID-19 vaccine, you will receive more information about what you need to do after your vaccination. The CDC encourages you to contact your state health department to find out more about when you can get a vaccine.