The COVID-19 vaccines nowadays seem to be remarkably good at preventing serious illness. Nevertheless, there are still some possibilities that some vaccinated people would tend to get infected without developing symptoms and then could silently transmit the virus especially if they come in close contact with others or even stop wearing masks.
That is why vaccinated individuals are still encouraged to wear masks when they are going out of their houses. Never feel that the situation and environment are completely free from COVID-19 until it really happens one day. If vaccinated people are silent spreaders of the virus, they may keep it circulating in their communities, putting unvaccinated people at risk.
Here are 3 reasons why you still have to wear masks even after getting vaccinated:
1) Vaccines Do Not Provide 100% Protection.
Although the vaccines are incredibly effective and were nothing short of amazing in terms of turnaround, they only offer 94% to 95% protection. There’s no way to tell who the 5% will be who don’t respond to the vaccine and will still be at risk for COVID-19.
2) Still Need To Protect Those With Compromised Immune Systems And Who Can’t Be Vaccinated.
We know that people with chronic medical conditions like heart disease and cancer are at risk for developing a severe case of COVID-19. And since this population wasn’t involved in clinical trials, we can’t assume that they’ll have the same effectiveness rate. It’s also recommended that if you’ve had an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the vaccine, you shouldn’t get it. Some pregnant women who are also considered high risk and weren’t included in clinical trials are opting out of getting vaccinated or choosing to be vaccinated after they give birth. If you’re fully vaccinated, it’s recommended to steer clear of those considered high-risk who are not vaccinated.
3) Those Who Have Been Vaccinated Might Be Asymptomatic Spreaders.
The vaccines prevent illness, but more research is needed to determine if the vaccines also prevent transmission. Experts are concerned that vaccinated people can still become infected without symptoms and then spread it to others who have not been vaccinated yet. If vaccinated people don’t continue to wear a face mask until more people are considered fully vaccinated, they could cause the virus to keep circulating. Getting vaccinated means you’re much less likely to get sick and develop symptoms yourself, so it’s critical that we protect others while they wait for their turn to receive the vaccine.
Sources: Health Essentials.