Smart Talk: COVID-19 guidelines change as vaccinations move forward

Airdate: Monday, March 15, 2021

One year into the pandemic and vaccinations are underway throughout the country, which is remarkable given the virus was unknown to medical professionals before December 2019.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention track diseases and respond with guidelines to prevent the spread and severity of outbreaks like COVID. Throughout the pandemic they have responded by issuing guidelines for Americans, which government agencies have used to develop mitigation practices.

While there are still unknowns as to how vaccines will affect the spread of COVID-19, the CDC has updated guidance for vaccinated individuals moving forward.

Dr. Gerald Maloney, DO, is the Chief Medical Officer for Geisinger Hospitals and he joins Smart Talk Monday to put the guidance into context, as well as answer questions about the ecology of the virus.

Updated CDC Guidelines for vaccinated individuals:

• Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or staying 6 feet apart.
• Visit with unvaccinated people from one other household indoors without wearing masks or staying 6 feet apart if everyone in the other household is at low risk for severe disease.
• Refrain from quarantine and testing if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 after contact with someone who has COVID-19.