Coronavirus: Information & Resources

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7 Things to Know Post-Vaccine

We are clearly safer as individuals and as a community with vaccination than without. Now that the vaccine for COVID-19 is approved for use, what does that mean for the general public?

Please wait for the vaccine
Remember, it may take weeks or months for the vaccine to be available to you depending upon your individual risk factors, vaccine supply and the most up-to-date guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and state health department. The vaccine will be administered in phases over time, first to individuals at greatest risk, and over time, to individuals at lesser risk. Please be patient as the state and national vaccination plans roll out and delivery vaccine in phases to your community.
Keep masking up
It is important to continue to wear a mask when in public or around people outside of your immediate family and household members. It is also important to continue social distancing. While the vaccine provides significant protection for vaccinated individuals from getting COVID-19 disease, it is still possible for vaccinated individuals to transmit the virus to others and no vaccination is 100% effective.
Distance yourself
Social distancing is still important until a majority of the population are vaccinated, and until more is known about who can still spread the virus.
Wash hands frequently
Protect yourself by removing germs from your hands with frequent and thorough handwashing.
You received a vaccine
Getting one dose of the vaccine does not immediately protect you. After the second dose, it will take an additional two to three weeks for you to be protected. Watch for side effects such as fever, muscle aches and fatigue, and continue masking, social distancing and handwashing until a majority of the population are vaccinated.
Asymptomatic carriers
COVID-19 vaccines may protect against severe infection, but not necessarily prevent mild or asymptomatic infection. It’s possible that an infected person could still spread the virus, which can put others nearby at risk.
Be patient and safe
Science is still learning about the virus, the disease and about the vaccine’s effectiveness. Until more is known about who can still spread the virus and until most of the population has been vaccinated, practice basic safety – mask-up, practice social distancing, wash your hands often.