The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their travel guidelines for vaccinated people today, and it’s good news.
CDC updated guidance for vaccinated travelers
The CDC updated its guidelines today stating that it is safe for fully vaccinated people to travel:
- You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last recommended dose of an approved vaccine (Johnson & Johnson has one dose and other vaccines two doses).
- Vaccinated people can travel at home and abroad “at low risk for themselves”
- Vaccinated individuals should not need to be tested for coronavirus prior to travel unless required by destination and should not be required to be quarantined on return to the United States unless required by local jurisdiction. On the other hand, that wasn’t a prerequisite before
- Vaccinated people should continue to take precautionary measures such as: B. wearing masks in public, avoiding crowded places, maintaining social distance, frequent hand washing, etc.
- Vaccinated individuals traveling internationally must still have a coronavirus test within three days of their return to the United States
- Unvaccinated people are still being discouraged from traveling
As Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the CDC, describes this update:
“With millions of Americans being vaccinated every day, it’s important to keep the public informed of the latest science on what fully vaccinated people can safely do, including guidelines on how to travel safely. We continue to encourage every American to get vaccinated as soon as it is their turn so that we can begin to safely return to our daily lives. Vaccines can help us get back to the things we love about life. That is why we encourage every American to get vaccinated as soon as they have the opportunity. “
People who have been vaccinated are encouraged to start traveling
My opinion on the updated guidance from the CDC
It is fantastic to see the CDC finally publicly declare that it is safe for people who have been vaccinated to travel.
Personally, it seems to me that an update like this is coming sooner. Of course, I recognize that the CDC is in an unenviable position, dealing with a fairly new pandemic that we are learning more about every day, and trying to prioritize widespread vaccination while people stay home.
How I see it:
- Saying that vaccinated people can travel is a huge incentive for people to get vaccinated and that is something we need, especially for the people who are on the fence
- Virtually all of the science we’ve seen so far suggests that vaccines provide largely two-way protection. If you are vaccinated, you are unlikely to develop a severe case of coronavirus, and you are also unlikely to have an asymptomatic case. This makes it much less likely that you will unwittingly pass coronavirus on to others
- At some point I can see how it arouses suspicion in some parts of the public when science and recommendations do not match
- Science aside, I can’t help but feel that the CDC news is gruesome – the CDC states that vaccinated people can travel safely and that they can travel, but also says they shouldn’t travel
lol this is amazing. CDC this week:
“threatening fate”
“Vaccinated people do not carry the virus”
“safe to travel”
“still shouldn’t travel”
I understand there are a lot of nuances, but there has to be a better way of communicating this stuff https://t.co/84qrIv61zt– Christopher Ingraham (@_cingraham) April 2, 2021
Regardless, I am pleased that the CDC is updating its recommendations, even if the news is mixed. With the promise that all American adults will have access to a vaccine by May, we will see the travel sector continue to grow. The end of travel shame is just around the corner …
The US airports will be full this summer
Bottom line
The CDC has finally updated its guidelines to make it clear that fully vaccinated people can now travel safely. Science has already indicated that it is, but it’s nice that this is the official recommendation as it will hopefully help more people choose to vaccinate.
What do you think of the CDC’s updated guidelines?
