Buzz
If you've completed both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, quarantine might not be necessary after exposure to someone who tests positive, according to the latest CDC guidelines. This shift in policy comes from encouraging new data.
Quarantine's purpose is to stop the spread of the coronavirus while you monitor for symptoms. (Once you're sick, you're isolated, not quarantined.) While quarantining, you should remain at home and take steps to keep others safe.
Here’s the updated guidance from the CDC:
Vaccinated individuals who have been exposed to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not required to
quarantine
if they meet all the following conditions
†
:
Are fully vaccinated (i.e., at least 2 weeks after receiving the second dose in a 2-dose series, or at least 2 weeks after receiving one dose of a single-dose vaccine)
Are within 3 months of receiving the final dose in the vaccination series
Have remained symptom-free since the recent COVID-19 exposure
Individuals who don’t meet all three of the above criteria should continue to adhere to current
quarantine guidelines
after being exposed to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
Take note of the three-month timeframe. While it’s expected that the vaccine’s protection may last longer than three months, we don’t have definitive information yet. If you were one of the first to get vaccinated in December, starting around March, you might need to begin quarantining again after exposure.
That said, the three-month window could be extended if further data shows the vaccine’s protection lasts beyond that period.
Why is this acceptable?
If you’re puzzled because you believed the vaccine still allows for disease transmission, let’s take a moment to clear that up.
According to the CDC:
While the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from vaccinated individuals to others remains unclear, the vaccine has proven effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19. Symptomatic and pre-symptomatic transmission is considered to play a bigger role in spreading the virus than asymptomatic transmission. Additionally, the benefits of avoiding unnecessary quarantine may outweigh the potential but unknown transmission risks, and allow public health resources to be focused on those at highest risk of spreading SARS-CoV-2. This recommendation to waive quarantine for those with vaccine-induced immunity aligns with
quarantine guidelines for those with natural immunity
, making implementation easier.
It’s a bit of a risk, but every high-stakes policy decision comes with its uncertainties. Requiring vaccinated individuals to continue quarantining also brings its own challenges, such as missed work, for example.
If you’re vaccinated and eligible to skip quarantine, the CDC suggests taking certain precautions: wear a mask around others, follow all safety protocols (such as maintaining distance), and monitor yourself for any symptoms. Since the vaccine isn’t 100% effective, there’s still a slight chance you could become ill.
Expect policies to change as we gather more information about the vaccines and emerging coronavirus variants. For instance, Australia still mandates quarantine for vaccinated individuals before they can enter the country. Despite seeing the same evidence as the CDC, they have made a different decision. As we continue to learn more about the effectiveness of these vaccines against the virus, the best course of action is to follow the rules that apply to you and await further policy updates.
