We now know that SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes it COVID-19, can and will continue to move around the globe. Even if the COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out, experts warn that preventive measures are still needed. “If we don’t realize that this virus is moving and don’t take precautions, we’ll keep chasing the virus instead of standing in front of it,” he says Ruth CarricoPh.D., Professor of Infectious Diseases and Nurse in the University of Louisville School of Medicine.
While the pandemic is unlikely to end until the majority of the world’s population is vaccinated, many of us expect to return while traveling. But what will that look like after the widely used vaccine? Here is a look.
When does the trip start again after the vaccination?
In short, it’s hard to say for sure. “At the moment, it is expected that the general public will be able to start vaccinating as early as next summer,” says Carrico.
This could go hand in hand with increased travel opportunities. “Most of the experts who observe the travel markets assume that business travel can start in summer and vacation travel in autumn,” says Dr. Karl Minges, MPH, Chair of Health Administration and Policy at the University of New Haven.
However, things could stall a bit than originally thought as the vaccine adoption was slower than expected. There were initial hopes that at least 20 million Americans would be vaccinated by the end of December. less than 5 million got the shot.
“While I think travel will increase this year, I don’t think we will reach normal levels for any time, especially not before summer or fall,” says Dr. Henry Wu, director of the Emory TravelWell Center.
Can vaccinated travelers spread COVID-19?
This is also still unknown. With vaccines like the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, The body makes antibodies;; After you have been vaccinated, you do not harbor or spread the organism. However, experts don’t know if this is the case with the coronavirus vaccine.
Current vaccines are designed to reduce the likelihood of the person receiving the shot getting seriously ill with the virus (and both are very effective at doing this – Moderna’s shot is 94.5 percent effective, Pfizer is 95 percent). However, it is still unclear how long the vaccination protection lasts and how well the vaccines prevent the transmission of viruses, explains Wu. “We certainly hope the vaccines will prevent transmission, but we really don’t have enough data right now to answer that question.” Some vaccines may also be more effective than others at slowing down the spread.
Countries are also vaccinated at different rates, which affects where travelers can go – and when.
Of course, no vaccine is 100 percent effective. And research in the coming months will hopefully answer questions about vaccine transmission and further development, Carrico says.
What other precautions do we have to take when traveling and for how long?
Make yourself comfortable until COVID approaches eradication with adequate vaccination rates Wear masks, social distancing and use of a disinfectant. “Most likely we will wear masks and take general infection control precautions during 2021,” says Carrico.
