Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office reported on Tuesday that 45% of Michiganders have now received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 30% are fully vaccinated. The state is set to surpass six million doses of the vaccine given over the last four months.
While the number of COVID-19 cases in Michigan remains high, and more contagious variants of the virus are spreading, some families are finding themselves in odd situations where they are being exposed to COVID-19, or infected, between vaccine appointments.
Vaccines are most effective two weeks after the last dose, so a person is not considered fully vaccinated until two weeks after their second dose of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks after the first dose of a one-dose vaccine. You are at risk for contracting COVID-19 until you are fully vaccinated.
Because those who receive the first dose of a vaccine are still at risk for contracting COVID-19, they should continue to be vigilant with hand washing, mask wearing, and physical distancing.
If partially vaccinated individuals are exposed to the virus by a close contact, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends they quarantine and watch for symptoms for 14 days. If symptoms begin, they should be tested and isolate for another 10 days. Quarantine time can be reduced to 10 days if they remain symptom free, or 7 days if they receive a negative test on day 5 or after.
While some research shows that having a confirmed COVID-19 infection within the last 6 months along with receiving the first dose of a two-dose vaccine results in a more robust immune response, the (CDC) still recommends quarantine for those in that category.
Those who become infected or are in quarantine between vaccine doses may have to reschedule their second dose. Infected individuals can receive their second dose of the vaccine if they have completed their isolation period and are symptom free. Those who were quarantined due to exposure can receive their second dose when the quarantine period ends.
To reschedule a vaccine appointment in St. Clair County, call the Health Department at (810) 966-4163 during regular business hours.
Quarantine is not recommended for those who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from a confirmed COVID-19 infection in the last 90 days. A person who is fully vaccinated is two weeks past their second dose of a two-dose vaccine or two weeks past their first dose of a one-dose vaccine.
For more information on the CDC’s recommendations for quarantine visit their website, <HERE>.
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand