Can I still spread the coronavirus after being vaccinated?

NEW YORK – Can I still spread the coronavirus after being vaccinated?

It’s possible. Experts say the risk is low, but are still studying the ability of vaccines to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Current vaccines are very effective in preventing people from becoming seriously ill with COVID-19.

But even if vaccinated people don’t get sick, they can still get infected without showing any symptoms. Experts believe the vaccine would also reduce the chances of these people spreading the virus.

“A vaccinated person controls the virus better, so the chances of transmission will be greatly reduced,” said Dr. Robert Gallo, virus expert at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Among the evidence to date: Studies suggesting that if people are infected despite vaccination, they harbor less coronavirus in their noses than unvaccinated people. This makes propagation more difficult.

In an attempt to resolve the issue, the United States is launching a study of students wishing to undergo daily nasal swabs.

A d

Given the uncertainty and the arrival of more contagious variants, experts believe that fully vaccinated people should continue to wear masks and distance themselves socially in public and when visiting with unvaccinated people at high risk of serious illness in case of infection.

“We still have to be careful,” said Gallo. “The vaccine is essential. But it is not a panacea that will end the epidemic tomorrow. “

Other factors can also affect the likelihood that a vaccinated person will spread the virus, including vaccination rates in the community and whether there is a continued increase in cases locally.

“We want to think it’s all or nothing, but it’s very specific to the situation,” said Dr. Laraine Lynn Washer, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Michigan.

__

The AP answers your questions about the coronavirus in this series. Submit them to: [email protected].

Read the previous viral questions:

A d

I received the COVID-19 vaccine. What can I do safely?

Will the coronavirus ever go away?

When can children get the COVID-19 vaccine?