Published advice on what a full vaccination can do

OTTAWA – Canadians who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can kiss each other, attend barbecues and invite a small group of friends to dinner without wearing masks or standing aside, but might still want to protect themselves at crowded concerts, sporting events or house parties, say public health officials.

The Public Health Agency of Canada released guidance on Friday on what those who have received two vaccines against the novel coronavirus can do as vaccination rates in Canada rise.

At a previous press conference, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that 26% of Canadians eligible for a vaccine had received both of their vaccines, giving them their best chance of protection against the virus.

More than 76% of those eligible also received a single injection, he said.

To date, Canada has delivered 43 million doses of vaccine to provinces, which are launching vaccination campaigns. The federal government expects to reach 50 million deliveries by the end of June and 68 million by the end of July.

With more vaccines entering the country, provinces have started lifting health restrictions to allow more people to socialize, pressuring the agency to issue guidelines on what to do who are fully vaccinated against COVID. -19 can do safely.

“If you are fully immunized, you can do a lot of things now with reduced risk,” Theresa Tam, director of public health, said Friday, adding that people still had to “think twice” before going to public health centers. overcrowded interior areas.

The agency’s notice released on Friday outlined scenarios using an infographic showing when people should wear masks and physically distance themselves, based on their own immunization status and whether those around them have been immunized.

For example, it is said that someone who meets double-dose people for a small outdoor gathering, like a family barbecue, does not need to physically distance themselves or wear a mask, regardless of their status. vaccine.

When traveling to a home with a small group of fully immunized family members or friends to watch hockey or have dinner, the agency said those who have received two injections do not need to wear glasses. mask or worry about getting too close.

People without both vaccines can consider doing the same, he says, if everyone is feeling well and no one is at risk for more serious illness.

In outdoor settings where people mix with their immunization status unknown to different households, such as at a wedding or a football game, the agency advises a fully vaccinated person not to need to be self-administered. hide.

It says people who are partially immunized or unvaccinated should consider keeping it if they cannot physically move away.

When it comes to going to a crowded concert, the agency says fully vaccinated people might still want to remember to keep their masks on if they’re indoors, even if they don’t have any. underlying condition.

To get to gyms and places of worship, the agency says people who have had their two injections should put on a mask if they are at greater risk of illness, and always try to keep doors and windows open. .

Those who are not fully vaccinated at these centers should wear a mask.

Tam stressed that people should follow the health advice and rules of his provincial counterparts, as these are designed to cope with the way the pandemic is unfolding in a specific community.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has edged out Canada’s National Public Health Agency when it comes to providing advice on what fully vaccinated people can do, such as forgoing face masks in most places inside.

Deputy Chief Public Health Officer Dr Howard Njoo said in general that developing guidelines for people better protected from COVID-19 is “much more nuanced” than simply providing a list of things a person can do after receiving their second dose.

Different factors need to be taken into account, he said, such as the immunization status of those around them, as well as the changing rate of infection where they live.

Health officials have also told people about an online risk assessment tool they can use to decide how best to protect themselves.

Federal COVID-19 modeling was also released on Friday, warning that the Delta variant could worsen a possible fourth wave of the pandemic than initially thought.

Data currently shows that the number of infections and hospitalizations continues to drop across the country, as more Canadians get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Federal health officials say the Delta variant is the “last hurdle” in the country’s fight against the pandemic and could lead to hospital capacity overruns if it takes hold throughout the fall and winter. winter.

The government’s modeling was based on assumptions that the strain is more transmissible than other variants of concern and causes more severe disease due to its spread in the UK.

Tam says the Delta variant is the most contagious strain seen to date and its presence has increased in Canada.

Federal data shows that most cases are found in people who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 or who only have one injection.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 25, 2021.