Posted on 01/22/2021 7:42:45 AM PST by Capt. Tom
Nearly 16 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the United States, and even though less than 5% of the population has been vaccinated so far, some travel providers are already accepting proof of vaccination as a requirement to travel.
What’s more, travelers who’ve had the vaccine are itching to hit the road.
“I have multiple trips planned for later this year, the biggest one being South Africa,” said Michele Scott, a physician and member of TPG’s Facebook group who had just had her first dose of the vaccine. “[But even after being vaccinated], I’m still taking precautions [like] wearing a mask, wiping my seat down and using hand sanitizer,” she said.
So, once you’ve been vaccinated, can you immediately head to the airport? Is it safe to toss your mask, board a plane and travel worry-free? The short answer: No.
Here’s everything you need to know about traveling after being vaccinated.
IN THIS POST Can you travel after being vaccinated? Can you spread the virus if you’ve been vaccinated? What if I’m traveling to a place that hasn’t vaccinated many people? Bottom line Can you travel after being vaccinated?
The arrival of multiple vaccines has inspired optimism about the return of travel, and it’s likely that many, if not most, countries will eventually require proof of having received a COVID-19 vaccine for entry, as we reported in December.
But even if you’ve been vaccinated, you might not be fully in the clear, as the vaccine doesn’t protect you until at least one week after you’ve taken the second dose, several experts told TPG.
“It takes a while for the immune system to kick in,” said Kacey Ernst, an epidemiology professor at the Univerisity of Arizona. “So, you don’t want to go get vaccinated and hop on your flight the next day and expect that you’re covered.”
Can you spread the virus if you’ve been vaccinated?
The CDC says it’s possible a person could be infected with COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and still get sick. But the vaccine will not make you sick with COVID-19, nor will you test positive after being vaccinated.
But what isn’t clear at the moment is whether someone who has been vaccinated can spread the virus to others, whether that person can carry and spread the virus without expressing any symptoms.
That’s why experts say if you’re traveling, it’s essential to continue practicing all recommended health measures. So, that indoor party you planned to throw to celebrate your vaccination? Probably not a good idea.
Indoor and other high-risk activities should be avoided, even if you’re around others who have been vaccinated.
And if you’re thinking about heading straight from your first vaccination appointment to the airport, that’s not a great idea either. Trials of the first doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines had a 52.4% and 80.2% efficacy rate, respectively.
“We know what the high-risk factors are, but [COVID-19] still behaves in a way where we don’t have all of the answers and data points,” said Dr. Jenny Yu, the senior manager for medical integrity at Healthline (owned by TPG’s parent company, Red Ventures).
“Because of that, we can’t have [large gatherings] until everyone’s vaccinated. Even though you’re protected … to protect others, it’s still necessary to take precautions.”
What if I’m traveling to a place that hasn’t vaccinated many people?
Vaccine rollout in the U.S. hasn’t gone as smoothly as planned, and Europe isn’t faring better, either.
That means if you’re traveling in the U.S. or abroad right now, you’re going to come into contact with people who haven’t been vaccinated. Several experts told TPG you shouldn’t let your guard down even after being vaccinated.
“Having situational awareness and knowing what’s going on in the area where you’re traveling to, and being cognizant of the level of risk that you’re traveling from, is important,” said Ernst.
Just because you’ve been vaccinated doesn’t mean you can disregard all public health advice, experts told TPG. So, you must continue to wear your mask, practice social distancing and pack your hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes along with your passport.
Experts are still figuring COVID-19 and its effects on people even after being vaccinated, so just because you received your shot doesn’t mean you aren’t a threat to others. That’s why it’s important we achieve herd immunity (which occurs when a significant percentage of a population is immune to an infection). For measles, as an example, about 95% of a population must be vaccinated for herd immunity, while the threshold is about 80% for polio.
It’s not yet known what the percentage is for the novel coronavirus, but one indication that COVID-19 doesn’t behave like other diseases is Dr. Anthony Fauci’s changing estimates. In December, he said between 75 and 85% of the population must be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, up from 60 to 70% early on in the pandemic.
And being vaccinated won’t exempt you from the new order requiring you to present a negative COVID-19 test before flying to the United States from abroad.
Related: What you need to know about getting COVID-19 tested for US-bound international flights
Bottom line Being vaccinated against COVID-19 is a vital step toward stamping out the pandemic and will be key to travel’s comeback. But even if you’ve been vaccinated, experts cautioned travelers to continue practicing the health standards introduced during the pandemic.
“Continue to wear your mask, have hand sanitizer [and] go travel, go have fun, go enjoy the places that you want to see,” Ernst said. “Just do it in a sensible manner.”
Can you imagine what it must be like managing a large business like a cruise line, with the everchanging goal posts? -Tom
Watch out for this and the *Health Passport* bs. They want to control your ability to get out of the country.
Good news is that they give you proof that you have the vaccine. Keep it with driver’s license. I can’t wait to cruise again. Last cruise was January 2020. Never went a year without one until now. Things will get back to normal. Patience is a virtue according to the Bible.
Nearly 16 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the United States, and even though less than 5% of the population has been vaccinated so far, some travel providers are already accepting proof of vaccination as a requirement to travel.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Even though the vaccine’s success is unknown, unless you count high levels of serious side effects requiring an ER.
This is such a farce - they tell us we’ll always have to wear masks because vaccines are only partially effective, we’ll have to have more vaccines regularly because “protection” is temporary. It’s like they want to sell monthly subscriptions to vaccines and withhold travel, employment etc. unless you buy one.
This is such garbage. once vaccinated you are vaccinated and should throw away the mask ( not that they work anyway) and go about your life. Actually you should throw away the mask abs go about your life vaccination or not
“Watch out for this and the *Health Passport* bs. They want to control your ability to get out of the country.”
And now we have Biden and Harris, and the American hating socialists and communists with control of the presidency -House-and senate, with the useless cowardly republicans to oppose their anti American agenda.
Well the future is going to be interesting. -Tom
There will also be Soviet-Style internal passports, to limit where you travel within the country.
Our city’s “mask mandate” is set to expire 2/23/21. Now they are talking about extending it to 5/23/21. UGGGHHH
Then in April, they’ll probably say that only 30% of people have been vaccinated around here, so they’ll extend it to August, I expect.
How refreshing. Once you submit to tyranny and no longer own your body, then you can go on vacation again. But don’t forget your face diaper!
That ain't gonna happen.
Our masters have headed off that line of thinking.
So even if vaccinated, continue to wear the mask and practice social distancing, and any requirements coming from the CDC, Mayors, or Governors.
Below is a excerpt from the article. -Tom
"But what isn’t clear at the moment is whether someone who has been vaccinated can spread the virus to others, whether that person can carry and spread the virus without expressing any symptoms."
It COULD mean DEATH for ALL your plans!
“You pays your money and you takes your chances”
I’ll take my chances with vitamins like Quercetin with zinc, vitamin D3, C and others.
This site may be helpful for some. (beyond my understanding)
https://www.bio.org/policy/human-health/vaccines-biodefense/coronavirus/pipeline-tracker
Note: scroll with mouse wheel over light blue? lists to see remainder of lists.
“It COULD mean DEATH for ALL your plans!”
It is ratcheting up. See below. -Tom
https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-makes-it-official-no-cruises-until-may/46221
Beats dying. I know you want to take one for the team. Just don’t wait to long.
“Nearly 16 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the United States, and even though less than 5% of the population has been vaccinated so far, some travel providers are already accepting proof of vaccination as a requirement to travel.”
Tom here- Below is from the CDC website. This will make some people think twice about getting the shots.
Not when there’s readily available therapeutics (if our totalitarian medical system will give us access). Ask yourself, why is Africa almost untouched by Coronavirus? The Densely populated cities where millions live in squalor should be a perfect breeding ground for Covid. Answer: Hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin
Would we have to take that daily during this to keep it away?
No. Ivermectin is taken once a year as a preventative. It is taken once a day for 4-5 days if someone gets Covid
Thanks.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.