Should we keep our mask on after getting vaccinated?
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Day by day, more and more people are getting vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine makes the person’s body recognise the pathogen and create the appropriate antibodies, and are considered immune to the virus. When more in the community get vaccinated, collective immunity grows.
However, the vaccinated can still contract the virus and show no symptoms at all. If careless, they could spread the disease to those who have not taken the vaccine yet. That is why it is essential to still keep the masks on even after vaccination.
What is Collective Immunity and How to Increase It?
Collective immunity is also known as population immunity or herd immunity. When a large percentage of people in a community, the herd, is immune to a specific disease. The possibility of the disease infecting people is very low when most are immune. This occurrence protects even those who are not immune to the pathogen.
A threshold proportion is the percentage of a population that can catch the disease that leads to its spread. The percentage of immunised people is greater than the threshold proportion is termed as herd immunity threshold.
The percentage of needed immune people to contain infection depends on the disease itself. When it is more contagious, population immunity requires a higher percentage of immune people to be effective. For example, measles needs at least 95% of the population immune to the disease to have a successful population immunity.
We can achieve collective immunity through natural infection or when previous active cases have recovered and developed the needed antibodies against the disease. However, this approach has high setbacks, leading to unwanted and unnecessary severe cases or even death to the immunocompromised.
Another method of increasing herd immunity is through vaccination.
Does the vaccine increase it?
Vaccination is a safer method of obtaining herd immunity than natural infection.
Vaccines have the pathogen’s inactivated or only some key components, and exposure elicits the body’s reaction of developing and creating antibodies. The only sickness a person may feel is the side effects, but they are milder than catching the disease itself. Compared to the natural method, immunisations prevent unwanted complications and deaths.
Collective immunity also protects those who cannot get the vaccine, like new-borns, those with underlying health conditions, or have allergies to specific components found in the vaccine; when more people in the community are immune and vaccinated, the possibility of infection declines.
“For example, measles needs at least 95% of the population immune to the disease to have a successful population immunity.”
Vaccines and herd immunity have successfully stopped diseases and risk of infection before. Examples are wild poliovirus, measles, tetanus, and meningitis. Due to the polio vaccines, many countries are now poliovirus-free.
However, vaccines do not bar you from contacting the virus. They only give about 94-95% of protection. Experts are concerned that the vaccinated may be asymptomatic when infected and are silently spreading the virus.
Shall we keep Social Distancing and Masks after Being Vaccinated?
Even when vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, you can still get infected with the disease. Though the chance of infection is meagre, it does not mean a zero chance of infection. The vaccine helps make cases less severe, so you only experience mild symptoms and prevent possible severe symptoms or death.
With new variants of the virus still present, it presents many unknowns and risks. Some countries still have a high rate of COVID-19 cases, even with the vaccine roll-out. If you’re considering international travel, it is best to read up on its regulations regarding international visitors and COVID-19.
If you are vaccinated and infected with the virus, you can still infect others when you’re not careful enough. Vaccinated people infected with the virus may present as asymptomatic. This possible risk of infection could be vital for unvaccinated people, as they may experience severe cases with their compromised immune system.
Therefore, it is still best to follow the preventive measures set by authorities. We should continue keeping social distancing and wearing medical face masks even after being vaccinated, especially a FFP2 or KN95 mask, which appears to be more efficient.
Following the preventive measures lowers the chance of contacting COVID-19 and the possible spread of infection.
Conclusion
Even when fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine, we must remain vigilant and keep our masks on. Immunised people may still catch the disease and be an asymptomatic case, but can still be a reservoir of infection and spread it when not careful enough.
We must keep in mind that some people cannot receive the vaccine, and it will be up to the immunised population to keep them safe from the virus. If able, take the vaccine and keep your mask on.
Questions & Answers
Q.Why is it important for vaccinated people to continue wearing masks and social distancing?
Why is it important for vaccinated people to continue wearing masks and social distancing?
Vaccinated individuals can still contract the virus and show no symptoms, potentially spreading the disease to those not yet vaccinated. Following preventive measures lowers the chance of contacting COVID-19 and its possible spread.
Q.How does vaccination contribute to achieving collective immunity?
How does vaccination contribute to achieving collective immunity?
Vaccination is a safer method of obtaining herd immunity than natural infection. It introduces inactivated pathogens or key components, prompting the body to develop antibodies and increasing the percentage of immune people in the community.
Q.Does being vaccinated mean an individual cannot spread the COVID-19 virus?
Does being vaccinated mean an individual cannot spread the COVID-19 virus?
No, vaccinated people may still be infected with the virus and present as asymptomatic. If not careful, they could spread it to others, especially those who are unvaccinated and potentially vulnerable to severe cases.
Q.What protection level do vaccines provide, and what is the concern regarding vaccinated individuals?
What protection level do vaccines provide, and what is the concern regarding vaccinated individuals?
Vaccines offer about 94-95% protection and help make cases less severe. However, experts are concerned vaccinated people may be asymptomatic when infected, silently spreading the virus to others.
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