Coronavirus

What's The Risk Of Going Out Right After Getting The Vaccine?

In our series "What's the Risk?" experts weigh in on what risks different scenarios pose for transmitting COVID-19.

What's The Risk Of Going Out Right After Getting The Vaccine?
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As more people become vaccinated, you might be wondering about the risks of getting sick with COVID-19. 

We asked the experts, what’s the risk of going out before the vaccine has fully kicked in?

Their take: The risk of contracting COVID-19 is high.

"The risk of going out too soon is that your immune system hasn't had a chance to fully build up its immunity and response to the virus," Dr. Kelly Cawcutt, associate medical director of infection control and epidemiology at Nebraska Medical Center, said. 

"It's really going to be dependent on how your body in particular responds and builds immunity. So I don't know that there is a great answer [such as], ‘You're good at five days and you're good at 14.’ But we do know that if you wait that full 14 days, it does give your immune system enough time to build the appropriate immunity," Katie Cary, assistant vice president of infection prevention for HCA Continental Division, told Newsy. 

"So you're really not fully protected, nor should you let your guard down, until you have received that second dose and until you wait about seven days to 10 days after that second dose," Dr. Frank Esper, pediatric infectious diseases specialist at the Cleveland Clinic, said.  

For more answers on what is low-, medium- or high-risk, visit newsy.com/whatstherisk.