The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will not release guidance on practices considered safe for those who are fully vaccinated against coronavirus on Thursday, as expected. In a statement sent to Fox News on Wednesday, an agency spokesman said the guidance “has not been finalized”.
“The CDC post-vaccination guidance will not be published tomorrow because we have not finalized it here at the CDC,” said Jason McDonald, a spokesman for the CDC. “As soon as it is finished, we will publish and disseminate it.”
Earlier this week, Fox News learned that the guidelines would allow those who are fully vaccinated to meet in small groups and visit grandparents who live in nursing homes who have also been fully vaccinated.
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The CDC is not expected to reverse guidelines such as wearing masks in public, limiting meetings, social distance and other public health measures that have been put in place to combat the pandemic.
Guidance can also address travel for vaccinated individuals. McDonald did not say when the agency expects to finalize impending updates.
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According to CDC data, about 8.1% of the US population – just 27 million people – are fully vaccinated. Doubts remain about when it would be safe to visit elderly relatives or meet at home without masks, as well as when it would be safe to travel.
Drs. Anthony Fauci and Rochelle Walensky have been under increasing pressure on the issues as the number of vaccines administered continues to increase and while new cases of coronavirus show signs of stabilization.
Several states, such as Mississippi and Texas, lifted the restrictions and withdrew mask orders citing declining cases and hospital fees, but top health officials and the Biden administration pleaded with the public to continue to adhere to public health measures.
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“Today we are at a critical juncture in the pandemic, a lot can change in the coming weeks,” Walensky said at a news conference on Wednesday. “On the one hand, cases in the country are stabilizing at rates just on the verge of resurgence potential, and the hyper-transmissible variant B.1.1.7 is ready to hijack our success so far. And on the other hand, resistance has run out, fatigue is winning and the exact measures we have taken to prevent the pandemic are now being blatantly ignored. “
Earlier this week, after the FDA’s authorization for the emergency use of the Johnson & Johnson one-shot vaccine, President Joe Biden said the United States would have enough supplies to inoculate all adults by May.
David Lewkowict and RN White of Fox News contributed to this report.