In Malaysia, the COVID-19 vaccination programme has started in late February 2021, and will be rolled out in a few phases, with frontliners and healthcare personnel taking the lead.
If you have registered for the COVID-19 vaccination and are waiting for your vaccination to be scheduled, now is a good time to understand some of the things that you can and cannot do after completing your COVID-19 shot.
This is direct NO.
Although the COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have shown to be effective in preventing serious illnesses, there is simply not enough evidence to show that these these vaccines can completely stop people from being infected by COVID-19 virus. Moreover, vaccinated people can become silent spreaders of the COVID-19 virus and put others at risk.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) remains that as for now, fully vaccinated people should continue to wear masks, adhere to physical distancing guidelines and other prevention measures the visiting unvaccinated people.
If you have been fully vaccinated and experiences symptoms that are consistent with COVID-19, you should immediately isolate yourself from others and seek doctor’s evaluation for COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2. At your doctor’s consultation, yo should also inform your healthcare provider about your vaccination status.
Fully vaccinated people with no COVID-19 associated symptoms do not need to be quarantined or tested following exposure with someone who is COVID-19 positive or suspected, as the risk of infection is low. However, he or she should still monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days after exposure.
Although the COVID-19 vaccines significantly lower the risk of infection, it does not mean that you are free to travel yet.
At this point of time, the CDC opines that increasing travel will still contribute to the rising number of COVID-19 cases and put those who have not been vaccinated yet at risk of infection.
So here’s our take: whether you are vaccinated or not, it is best to avoid non-essential travel.
With the vaccination programme ongoing, there seem to have been some easing of restrictions in terms of physical gatherings.
Yet, the CDC recommends that all people – regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status – adhere to local SOP on physical distancing in public and avoid any medium- and large-sized physical gatherings.
Fully vaccinated people who choose to participate in any public activities or gatherings should continue to adhere to all prevention measures to lower the risk of spreading the virus. This includes proper mask-wearing practices, hand-washing and physical distancing.
The prospect of eased restrictions following COVID-19 vaccination may sound promising. But you should keep in mind that while vaccines is one part of the prevention strategy, it has not 100% proven to be the cure of COVID-19 transmission.
So, whether you are fully vaccinated or not, we urge that you continue to follow all health and safety guidelines to help lower the risk of COVID-19 virus infection. Stay healthy, stay safe.
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This article is intended to convey general information only. It does not constitute advice for your specific needs. This article cannot disclose all of the risks and other factors necessary to evaluate a particular situation.
Any interested party should study each situation carefully. You should seek and obtain independent professional advice for your specific needs and situation.
