Why Do You Need Your Face Mask Even after the Covid-19 Vaccine

Covid-19 has affected livelihoods, and it is only being compared to the 1818 flu. Countries have experienced lockdowns, curfews, and economic upheaval like never before. Sadly, the pandemic has resulted in more deaths and hospitalizations.  However, things are now looking up since the invention of vaccines.

Many people have become fully vaccinated, and a larger part of the population has already taken their first dose. As a result, they are starting to wonder when life can go back to normal and get rid of the masks. Doctors are advising for more patience and for vaccinated people to keep the mask on. Below are some of the reasons you need to listen to this advice.

Vaccines Do Not Offer Immediate Protection

Once you are inoculated, the vaccines do not start working right away. You require about two weeks for the immune system to generate antibodies effective in blocking the virus. Due to the requirement of two doses given in several weeks from the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, it will take longer for the body to fight the viral infection.

It means that it can take about five to six weeks for one person to achieve full immunity. Hence, it is an excellent reason to keep wearing your mask after the COVID-19 vaccination.

You Could Still Be an Asymptomatic Spreader

One of the leading causes of the faster spread of the virus was the asymptomatic spreaders. Due to limited testing kits in the early stages of the pandemic, few children and young people received covid-19 tests. Physicians believed this group to be immune. However, now, research is showing a different picture.

They developed mild sicknesses or were completely asymptomatic. However, they were some of the highest spreaders of the virus. This vaccine, like other flu vaccines, protects the inoculated person. However, it may not prevent you from being infected or spreading the virus.

Research is still ongoing on whether vaccinated people can lead to more covid infections. Until this question can be fully answered, it is good to keep the mask on and help fight the spread of the virus.

Not 100% Effective

Clinical trials for the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines show they have a 95% effectiveness in preventing coronavirus illness. These are good results, but 1 in 20 people remains unprotected. Besides, these tests happened in optimized test conditions, which can differ from the actual world situation.

The real world can render vaccines a little less effective. This phenomenon is referred to as efficacy in scientific terms. The actual immunity observed in a vaccinated demographic is known as effectiveness. The handling of the vaccine during transport and storage can directly affect its effectiveness. If there is s slight variation on the strict CDC guidelines, it affects how well these vaccines work.

Not Everyone is Vaccinated

Though many people have embraced the vaccine, there are still limited doses of vaccines. The few doses are preventing mass vaccinations. Also, the logistics for vaccinating a whole population, even if the doses were still there, could prove to be a bit tricky. Keeping the mask on even after vaccination helps protect the people.

Masks Help Protect People with Compromised Immunity

At the beginning of the pandemic, people with underlying conditions were advised to keep themselves isolated. It was necessary because their compromised immunity put them at a higher risk. People with cancer can die if they get infected with coronavirus.

Additionally, they cannot take the coronavirus vaccine as it can put them in more danger. Cancer makes patients vulnerable in many ways. A lung cancer patient can struggle to fight off pneumonia, and those going through radiation or chemotherapy have weak immunity.

There is not enough research to show how people with cancer will respond to vaccines. Immunosuppressed people may have to wait until there is more information on the vaccine's efficacy for them. For this reason, it is essential to wear your mask to protect these patients.

Some Cannot Be Vaccinated

Apart from weak immunity, there are people who experience severe allergic reactions to the vaccine's ingredients. The government advises such people to skip the vaccine. If a patient had a severe reaction to the first dose, they also need to skip the second one.

Masks Offer Protection from Emerging Strains

You may have heard of the UK, Brazilian, and Indian coronavirus strains. These strains are deadly and have a high infection rate. These genetic coronavirus strains can give you enough reasons to worry. Though studies show that the vaccines still work on the variants, it is good to continue following the safety protocols to avoid infection. Wearing a mask will keep you protected from these mutations.

Conclusion

Wear your mask, avoid crowded places, and keep social distancing. Combining these safety precautions gives the world a chance to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.