Vaccinated Against COVID? What Now?

syringe-safe-4-18
syringe-safe-4-18

With nearly 70,000 people in Berrien County having received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot, the Berrien County Health Department has some advice for those who are now fully vaccinated. Spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells us they can relax a bit.

“People who are considered to be full vaccinated are able to visit with others indoors without masks, especially if those other individuals they are gathering with also have been vaccinated or at at low risk of severe COVID-19 disease,” Conrad said.

How about going out in public?

“People who are fully vaccinated for the time being should continue to take precautions in public like wearing a mask, physical distancing, making sure they are avoiding those large, in-person gatherings.”

As for how long vaccine protection lasts, she notes Pfizer announced Thursday its vaccine lasts for at least six months, and she expects that period to grow as more time passes. It is possible we will need periodic boosters. Conrad tells us more than 35% of Berrien County residents have gotten at least one dose.