If you’re one of the growing # of NYers who have been fully vaccinated, congrats!
You may have questions about what you can and can’t do, what the variants mean, when and if you’ll need a booster, whether you should get a vaccine passport, and more.
Here are some answers. 1/
You may have questions about what you can and can’t do, what the variants mean, when and if you’ll need a booster, whether you should get a vaccine passport, and more.
Here are some answers. 1/
I’ve heard mixed messaging--can I still catch the virus after my vaccine?
* The vaccines are amazingly effective! They prevent nearly 100% of deaths and hospitalizations from covid. And the chance of mild or asymptomatic cases is dramatically reduced. 2/
* The vaccines are amazingly effective! They prevent nearly 100% of deaths and hospitalizations from covid. And the chance of mild or asymptomatic cases is dramatically reduced. 2/
I’ve also heard mixed messaging on whether I can still spread the virus--what’s the deal?
* Research is still underway on this. It appears you are far less likely to transmit the virus once you’re fully vaccinated, but that risk is not zero. So precautions are still required. 3/
* Research is still underway on this. It appears you are far less likely to transmit the virus once you’re fully vaccinated, but that risk is not zero. So precautions are still required. 3/
Who can I meet up with?
* The CDC has said that once you are fully vaccinated (2 weeks after final shot) you can gather indoors with a small group of others who are fully vaccinated, without masks etc. Enjoy! 4/
* The CDC has said that once you are fully vaccinated (2 weeks after final shot) you can gather indoors with a small group of others who are fully vaccinated, without masks etc. Enjoy! 4/
Can I gather with people who are not vaccinated?
* The CDC has said that you can gather with one other unvaccinated household at a time (e.g. kids & grandkids...yay!), without masks etc., unless any of those people or anyone they live with is high risk for covid. 5/
* The CDC has said that you can gather with one other unvaccinated household at a time (e.g. kids & grandkids...yay!), without masks etc., unless any of those people or anyone they live with is high risk for covid. 5/
Can kids play together from different households if the adults are vaccinated?
* Because of risk that kids can contract or spread the virus, the usual precautions still apply to them, including wearing masks. Risk is much less outdoors. Ventilation indoors also reduces risk. 6/
* Because of risk that kids can contract or spread the virus, the usual precautions still apply to them, including wearing masks. Risk is much less outdoors. Ventilation indoors also reduces risk. 6/
Do I still need to wear a mask in public?
* As long as most people have not been vaccinated, and the amount of virus spreading remains high, you need to keep wearing your mask and taking other precautions in public. But this recommendation may change as soon as this summer. 7/
* As long as most people have not been vaccinated, and the amount of virus spreading remains high, you need to keep wearing your mask and taking other precautions in public. But this recommendation may change as soon as this summer. 7/
Can I go to the gym, museums, etc, once I’m fully vaccinated?
* Yes! But you should still wear your mask, wash your hands, and take other precautions. 8/
* Yes! But you should still wear your mask, wash your hands, and take other precautions. 8/
Should I worry about reinfection by variants?
* Vaccines thankfully appear to be effective against the two main variants spreading in NYC—B1526 & B117. They may be somewhat less effective against B1351 (S. Africa), but this variant is not yet widely present in NYC or the US. 9/
* Vaccines thankfully appear to be effective against the two main variants spreading in NYC—B1526 & B117. They may be somewhat less effective against B1351 (S. Africa), but this variant is not yet widely present in NYC or the US. 9/
Will I need to get a booster shot?
* Probably. Vaccine manufacturers are already testing booster shots that would work against B1351 and other variants. However Dr. Fauci says it might be just as effective to simply get a 3rd dose of Pfizer or Moderna in 6-12 months. 10/
* Probably. Vaccine manufacturers are already testing booster shots that would work against B1351 and other variants. However Dr. Fauci says it might be just as effective to simply get a 3rd dose of Pfizer or Moderna in 6-12 months. 10/
Can I travel once I’m fully vaccinated?
* The CDC has offered very carefully worded guidance on this. They've said those who are fully vaccinated can resume travel at low risk to themselves, but the agency is still not recommending travel given rising case counts nationally. 11/
* The CDC has offered very carefully worded guidance on this. They've said those who are fully vaccinated can resume travel at low risk to themselves, but the agency is still not recommending travel given rising case counts nationally. 11/
Is there a vaccine passport yet?
* NY State has launched the “Excelsior Pass”, a smartphone app that can certify you've been vaccinated by displaying a QR code. There are few details so far on privacy protections, and some advocates are raising concerns about this. 12/
* NY State has launched the “Excelsior Pass”, a smartphone app that can certify you've been vaccinated by displaying a QR code. There are few details so far on privacy protections, and some advocates are raising concerns about this. 12/
Is the vaccine passport in use yet in NY?
* Venues like Yankee Stadium, Citifield & MSG, as well as some theaters, are starting to pilot the Excelsior Pass to screen attendees. But you can still use your vax card instead (or show a negative test if you haven’t been vax'd.) 13/
* Venues like Yankee Stadium, Citifield & MSG, as well as some theaters, are starting to pilot the Excelsior Pass to screen attendees. But you can still use your vax card instead (or show a negative test if you haven’t been vax'd.) 13/
Should I still get tested for covid after being fully vax'd?
* CDC says if you've been exposed to someone w/ covid you only need to get a test if you have symptoms. Some experts advise you still get tested regularly to know if there is risk you'll pass the virus to others. 14/
* CDC says if you've been exposed to someone w/ covid you only need to get a test if you have symptoms. Some experts advise you still get tested regularly to know if there is risk you'll pass the virus to others. 14/
Will being vaccinated make me test positive for covid?
* No. If you test positive it is likely due to contracting it shortly before you were fully vaccinated, or after. 15/
* No. If you test positive it is likely due to contracting it shortly before you were fully vaccinated, or after. 15/
Should I get an antibody test to make sure my vaccination worked?
* No. The CDC discourages this because some people fully vaccinated will get a negative antibody test, but this does not mean they aren’t benefiting from the expected protection of the vaccine. 16/
* No. The CDC discourages this because some people fully vaccinated will get a negative antibody test, but this does not mean they aren’t benefiting from the expected protection of the vaccine. 16/
Can I donate blood after being vaccinated?
* Yes. The Red Cross says you can still donate blood after being vaccinated. But for now you are not eligible for convalescent plasma donation (this may change). Details on their guidelines: redcrossblood.org/local-homepage… 17/
* Yes. The Red Cross says you can still donate blood after being vaccinated. But for now you are not eligible for convalescent plasma donation (this may change). Details on their guidelines: redcrossblood.org/local-homepage… 17/
To recap: Getting the covid vaccine is life changing and life saving. And by taking a few deliberate precautions you can navigate the current pre-herd immunity world where the vaccinated and unvaccinated coexist. 18/18
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
