March 18, 2021

Celebrating 229 Years

1792 - 2021
HCMA - Medicine is Local
CDC Guidelines For Fully Vaccinated Individuals
 
Even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revised its guidelines for fully vaccinated people, it is recommended that patients visiting physicians' offices continue to wear masks and use the other suggested safety protocols as medical practices are considered places of public accommodation.
 
Here are the new guidelines on what kinds of activities are safe to resume after someone
is fully vaccinated:

  • You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask.
  • You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
  • If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
  • However, if you live in a group setting (like a correctional or detention facility or group home) and are around someone who has COVID-19, you should still stay away from others for 14 days and get tested, even if you don’t have symptoms.

The CDC does still recommends that everyone, including those fully vaccinated, continue to wear masks and practice social distancing when in a public place or at a social gathering with unvaccinated people from multiple households. The CDC also strongly recommends avoiding medium and large sized gatherings, as well as extensive domestic or international travel.

A reminder you are only considered fully vaccinated after two weeks following:
  • The second of two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine; or
  • The single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine

To read more about these new guidelines from the CDC, click here. 


In related news, Governor Ned Lamont accelerated the schedule to provide COVID-19 vaccines to Connecticut residents.
 

Individuals who are currently eligible to receive the vaccine in Connecticut include:

  • All individuals age 55 and older;
  • Healthcare personnel;
  • Medical first responders;
  • Residents and staff of long-term care facilities;
  • Residents and staff of select congregate settings; and
  • PreK-12 school staff and professional childcare providers.

Going forward, Connecticut’s rollout of the vaccine will proceed on the following schedule:
  • March 19: Scheduling opens to all individuals age 45 to 54
  • April 5 (tentative): Scheduling opens to all individuals age 16 to 44
  • The state will work with physicians and other providers and the Department of Developmental Services to accelerate access for the most medically high-risk individuals under 45 during the month of April.

All eligible individuals in Connecticut who would like to receive the vaccine must make an appointment in advance. Information on making an appointment and finding the closest available clinic can be found online at ct.gov/covidvaccine. Those without access to the internet can call Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224. The assist line is available seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.