People want to know if they can travel after receiving the first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
An expert told Insider that it is relatively safe for partially vaccinated people to travel.
You should avoid crowded tourist destinations, continue to wear a mask and maintain social distance.
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As more Americans receive the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, which require two doses, people question what is or is not safe to do between vaccines. A question that comes to mind: Is it safe to travel after the first shot?
Insider health reporters Andrea Michelson and Kelsie Sandoval previously reported that it is relatively safe for partially vaccinated people to travel.
“A person who travels partially vaccinated is less at risk than before being vaccinated,” said Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist at the Johns Hopkins University Health Safety Center, prior to Insider.
The first dose will provide some protection, which means that you are less likely to get sick if you are exposed to the virus. Early research on Pfizer injection also suggests that the vaccine may reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others.
However, to get all the benefits of the vaccine, you need two doses. Although you are partially protected, it is still important to avoid crowded indoor spaces.
It’s not the mode of transport – it’s what you do when you travel
Adalja told Insider that partially vaccinated travelers should prioritize avoiding crowded areas on their trip, which can be critical points for the spread of COVID-19.
For example, tourist spots filled with spring break were associated with the spread of COVID-19 in 2020.
If you decide to travel while you are partially vaccinated, Adalja said you should skip the crowded bars and the indoor meals. You should also continue to wear a mask and keep your distance from others.
The safest approach is to wait until you are fully vaccinated
Tourists seen at the Tower of Pisa on May 30, 2020.
Laura Lezza / Getty Images
Although the first injection provides some protection against the coronavirus, the safest way to travel is after you are fully vaccinated. Currently, the CDC still recommends that people avoid traveling and encourages people who travel to take the COVID-19 test before and after their travels.
As Insider reported earlier, health experts believe it is best to wait at least two weeks after the second injection before embarking on a trip.
This ensures that the photos have had enough time to take effect.
Although the data shows that it is unlikely that fully vaccinated people will be able to spread the virus, there are still some minor concerns, so it is best that people continue to wear a mask and social distance after being vaccinated.
If you are looking for a destination that is open to US travelers, this map describes domestic and international destinations that are open and welcoming American visitors.
