New guidelines for vaccination and quarantine

Posted: February 12, 2021

In response to new guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we are updating our guidance regarding vaccines, COVID-19 testing and quarantine.

Vaccination Guidelines

• To date the CDC advises individuals who have had COVID-19 in the past to still consider vaccination, if available. It is currently unknown how effective or long lasting immunity is after having COVID-19, so vaccination can provide another layer of protection.
• For those who have had a COVID-19 infection, vaccination should not be started until at least 14 days after a positive test or onset of symptoms AND all symptoms excluding loss of smell and taste must be resolved.

Immunity after Vaccination or Infection

• Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days are suspected of having protection from another infection for up to 90 days, but this is has not been proven conclusively and is still being studied.
• Individuals who have completed a COVID-19 vaccination course (typically 2 doses separated by 21 or 28 days depending on vaccine) are suspected of having protection from another infection if exposed to a known positive between days 14-90 after the last vaccination. This has not been proven conclusively and is still be studied.
• Everyone’s immunity response will be different and it is not known how long vaccine or previous infection immunity will last. As such, this does not preclude mask wearing, social distancing, and staying away from people who are ill or known to have COVID-19.

Quarantine Policy for Vaccinated individuals who have inadvertently had close contact with a COVID-19 positive person

• “Close contact” occurring between days 14 through 90 after the last vaccination dose WILL NOT be required to quarantine.
• “Close contact” occurring before or after days 14 through 90 after last vaccination dose WILL be required to quarantine.
• “Close contact” occurring within 90 days of a COVID-19 positive test or COVID-19 diagnosis WILL NOT be required to quarantine.

If you have a question or a comment, you can submit it at https://www.gannon.edu/Questions-or-Comments/.