Fully vaccinated people can resume activites maskless

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has now released updated guidance, that fully vaccinated people can resume activities they did before the COVID-19 pandemic, including participating in indoor and outdoor activities – large and small – without wearing a mask or physically distancing.

Fully vaccinated people can also refrain from testing following a known exposure, unless they are residents or employees, of a correctional or detention facility, or a homeless shelter.

A person is considered fully vaccinated against COVID- 19, if it has been two or more weeks since they got the second dose, in a two-dose series (such as Pfizer or Moderna), or one dose of a single-dose vaccine (such as Johnson & Johnson).

“This new guidance for fully vaccinated people is an exciting step forward,” said Department of Health Services (DHS) secretary-designee Karen Timberlake “For vaccinated people, this means returning to the Wisconsin way of life we all enjoy.”

With the guidance updates, there are exceptions where everyone, including those who are fully vaccinated, should continue to wear a mask. Mask wearing should continue in healthcare settings, K-12 schools, correctional and detention facilities, homeless shelters and public transportation, as well as places where masks are required by local or tribal health laws, rules and regulations, including local businesses and workplaces.

Studies have found the recent vaccines to be approximately 90 percent effective at preventing COVID-19, hospitalization and death.

To coincide with that, the DHS said children 12-15 years old, are now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and vaccinations. That vaccine requires two doses for full protection, and is the first and only vaccine available for this age group.

“This pandemic has been tough on everyone, but I know it has been especially hard for our kids,” said Gov. Tony Evers. “Now, with a COVID-19 vaccine available for the first time, we can offer our children protection against the virus.”

After successful clinical trials and a rigorous review of all available data, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Pfizer’s request to expand the emergency use authorization (EUA), to include adolescents ages 12-15.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) confirmed the vaccine is safe and voted to recommend the vaccine to the age group. “This is a game changer – especially as we are experiencing an increase in cases, hospitalizations and reports of long-term symptoms in younger people,” said Timberlake. “We are asking parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated as soon as they can.”

Parents and guardians of children ages 12-15 can schedule a vaccination using a variety of options, including with their healthcare provider, at community-based vaccination clinics, local and tribal health departments, or pharmacies.

To locate a provider administering the Pfizer vaccine, visit Vaccines.gov.