Why you still need to wear a mask after getting COVID-19 vaccine

Why you still need to wear a mask after getting COVID-19 vaccine Getting the vaccine does not mean you can ignore precautions. ABC News ABC News

As the promise of a COVID-19 vaccine is fulfilled amid the rollout of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, the need to continue wearing masks, washing your hands and maintaining social distancing remains mission critical to protecting lives.

Public health measures have been the main tools at preventing infection and transmission of the virus. Wearing a face mask can reduce an individual's risk of infection by 70%. With emergency use authorization of the Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, there is an opportunity to further decrease the risk of illness due to COVID-19.

However, vaccines may give people a false sense of security that masks are no longer needed. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

Vaccination teaches the body how to successfully fight a virus without actually getting sick. This is in contrast to public health measures, which rely on decreasing exposure to the virus. To effectively contain this pandemic, reducing exposure to the virus and supporting vaccination campaigns must continue.

Here are reasons why you need to continue wearing a mask (and practice other recommended safety guidelines) during and after vaccination:  ...

-Vaccination does not provide instant immunity. Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna's vaccines require two doses administered weeks apart. Depending on the vaccine, it can take four to six weeks from initial dosing to achieve immunity and protection levels comparable to those in clinical trials. During this time it is still possible to contract an infection and fall ill.

-Vaccination trials did not track whether participants wore masks. While clinical trials have strict enrollment and monitoring criteria, it isn't clear whether those participating in the studies were provided guidance on mask usage. Given a lack of data, it is not clear whether vaccination efficacy had anything to do with vaccine trial participants adhering to public health safety measures, like wearing masks.  ...

ALSO SEE: Getting a vaccine won't exempt you from mask-wearing and social distancing