Guidelines for after your COVID-19 vaccine: Safety steps for fully vaccinated people to follow

By getting vaccinated you’ve made a powerful choice to keep yourself healthy and help control the spread of COVID-19. We can all do our part to help our communities be safer and healthier.

1. Understand changing mask guidelines based on COVID-19 hospital admission levels

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has different mask-wearing recommendations depending on COVID-19 hospital admission levels in your community:

  • If levels are low – Wear a mask if you prefer (masks are recommended for indoor public transportation).
  • If levels are medium – People who are immunocompromised or at higher risk for severe COVID-19 should wear a high-quality mask or respirator. Others should consider doing the same, as well as self-testing for COVID-19, when around someone who’s immunocompromised or at higher risk for severe COVID-19.
  • If levels are high – Wear a high-quality mask or respirator. In addition, people who are immunocompromised or at higher risk for severe COVID-19 should consider avoiding nonessential indoor public activities where exposure is possible.

You should always wear a mask if you have possible COVID-19 symptoms, were recently exposed to someone with COVID-19 or recently tested positive for COVID-19.

Individual organizations and governments can still choose to make masking (or other COVID-19 safety procedures) mandatory. Always follow local guidance for the store, restaurant or location you’re in.

2. Get tips for situations when not everyone is (or can be) vaccinated

Can vaccinated people gather? Can vaccinated people travel? Yes: Fully vaccinated people can resume activities just like they did before the pandemic (while also following local safety guidance).

But even if you’re fully vaccinated, remember that not everyone else is. Some safety guidelines are different for vaccinated and unvaccinated people. Understanding how you might navigate situations when not everyone around you is (or can be) vaccinated may help you feel more confident.

3. Keep washing your hands frequently

Washing your hands often is always a good idea. Frequent handwashing helps prevent all kinds of germs from making you sick and spreading to others.

Regardless of COVID-19 levels, washing your hands continues to be a basic safety measure to help keep everyone healthier. It only takes about 20 seconds, and the benefits for both you and others are significant.

4. Encourage friends and family to get vaccinated

The evidence is clear: Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is safe and effective. But some people remain hesitant about vaccination.

We want everyone who’s eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine to do so. But as a close friend or family member, it’s actually you who’s in the best position to talk with those you care about and inspire them to get vaccinated.

If you’re comfortable with it, consider bringing up vaccination with your friends and family. If someone isn’t sure about getting vaccinated:

  • Be empathetic. It’s normal to have questions, and it can be hard distinguishing good information sources from misinformation. Having an empathetic attitude can help you keep things in perspective, acknowledge feelings and explore concerns together.
  • Ask if you can share information with them. No one likes being pressured, so if you’ve been able to have a good discussion with a friend or family member, ask if you can point them to trusted information sources. Some people may have general questions, while others may have specific concerns – you don’t have to be an expert. HealthPartners and Park Nicollet have great vaccine FAQs and vaccine facts that address many common questions.
  • Focus on personal situations and goals. Helping the people you care about find a reason to get vaccinated can help overcome a reason not to. And oftentimes, personal vaccination reasons are more persuasive than general ones. Whether it’s seeing each other in person again, being able to attend a family reunion or enjoying a vacation together, getting vaccinated can help enable those meaningful personal experiences.
  • Help make vaccination happen. If a loved one decides to get vaccinated, help them make that experience faster and easier. For example, you might assist them with scheduling a vaccination appointment, drive them to and from their appointment, babysit or pet sit while they’re getting vaccinated, or something else. By making yourself available, you can help turn a vaccination commitment into a reality.