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CDC Updates Guidelines for People Who Are Fully Vaccinated

With so many people who are fully vaccinated, many are wondering when life will get back to normal.

According to California’s Department of Public Health, as of May 1, 2021, nearly 13 million Californians (40.4%) are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Another 6 million (19%) are partially vaccinated.¹

You are considered “fully vaccinated” if 1) you received your second shot of a two-dose vaccine such as Pfizer or Moderna at least 2 weeks ago; or 2) you received a single-dose vaccine such as Johnson & Johnson at least 2 weeks ago.

Now that so many people have at least some degree of protection against COVID-19, you may be wondering whether life can go back to normal. Unfortunately, more than 53,000² new cases are being reported nationally every day, so now is not the time to stop taking precautions. However, since significant progress has been made, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued new guidelines for people who are fully vaccinated.

Outdoor activities. If you’re fully vaccinated you can safely enjoy solo activities outside such as walking, running, or bicycling. You can attend small get-togethers with other fully vaccinated people, or dine at an open-air restaurant with people who don’t live with you.

You should continue to wear a mask outdoors and indoors if you’re going to a large, crowded event, such as a concert, the county fair, or large sporting event.

Indoor activities. It’s generally safe to take off your mask indoors as long as you maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet. Small group get-togethers are also okay so long as they’re with other fully vaccinated people or un-vaccinated members of a single family.

Since it’s not always possible to know whom of those around you are fully vaccinated or not, it’s best to keep wearing a mask any time you’re indoors among people whom you don’t know (on an airplane, for example), or any time it’s not possible to social distance.

Of course, even if you’re fully vaccinated but have a higher risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19, it’s best to continue taking all precautions to avoid getting sick.

These guidelines will evolve as more people become vaccinated and as health authorities learn more about the vaccine. For the latest information about COVID-19 including where to get vaccinated, visit our web site at www.graybill.org/COVID019.

Sources

1. California Department of Health: Vaccination progress data. Available at https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccination-progress-data/. Retrieved 05/03/21.
2. CDC: COVID data tracker weekly review. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-data/covidview/index.html. Retrieved 05/03/21.

Graybill Medical Group Vaccine Program Discontinued

Due to changes in the State of California COVID-19 vaccine distribution program, Graybill Medical Group’s COVID-19 vaccine program has been discontinued. For information on how and where to get vaccinated, go to:

• Myturn.ca.gov – Register here to receive updates about new appointments and locations. Note: My Turn is available in eight languages, and for those without internet access, appointments can be made by calling (833) 422-4255. The hotline is available in English and Spanish, with third party translators available in more than 250 additional languages.
• Vaccinefinder.org – Find a nearby location where you can receive the COVID-19 vaccine

Graybill Medical Group and Arch Health Medical Group Align to Form Palomar Health Medical Group

Effective December 1, 2020, Graybill Medical Group is now affiliated with Arch Health Medical Group. Like Graybill, Arch Health is a large multi-specialty group practice with offices in North San Diego County. By combining resources, the two medical groups will be able to offer a wider range of services through a network of 170 primary care and specialty physicians and advanced practitioners and 22 locations in North San Diego and South Riverside Counties. Download the press release.

Expanded Urgent Care Hours

Effective immediately, the hours for our Urgent Care clinic in Escondido have been expanded to 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Weekend hours (Saturday/Sunday) are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.