This is how long it takes for the vaccine to protect you from COVID

The COVID vaccine represents a major breakthrough for science and one that will hopefully end the coronavirus pandemic. But it’s important to note that the vaccine isn’t an instant fix, in part because it doesn’t work right away. This means that even after you receive the vaccine, there is a period when you are vulnerable to the virus. Experts say the COVID vaccine can take up to two weeks to start protecting you, and the first dose will only provide half of the protection needed. Read on to learn more about how long the vaccine takes to work and for more recent vaccine information, find out the real reason President Trump has yet to receive the COVID vaccine.

Infectious disease specialist Christian Ramers, MD, told ABC News that “We know from clinical trials of the vaccine that it will take you about 10 to 14 days to start developing protection against the vaccine.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) corroborates this on its site.

“It usually takes a few weeks for the body to produce T cells and B cells after vaccination,” the CDC explains in its guidance. These lymphocytes are necessary to obtain immunity against the virus. “Therefore, it is possible that a person is infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or right after vaccination and then becomes ill because the vaccine did not have enough time to provide protection. ” And for more up-to-date information, sign up for our daily newsletter.

“We think that first dose gives you about 50 percent,” Ramers said. “You need that second dose to get to 95%.” So even after two weeks after your first injection, you will still only have partial immunity to COVID, which is why it is essential to come back for your second dose. And to learn more about the coronavirus vaccine, the CDC just changed this important COVID vaccine directive.

As noted by health experts, it is possible to be infected with the virus in the time between vaccine and immunity. ABC reports that on December 18 Matthew W., a nurse at two hospitals, said on Facebook that he received the Pfizer vaccine. Six days later, Matthew received COVID after working a shift in the hospital’s COVID unit. According to ABC, Matthew said he experienced chills, muscle aches and fatigue from the virus.

“It’s not at all unexpected. If you’re working through the numbers, that’s exactly what we would expect if someone was exposed,” Ramers said. He pointed out that it is possible that Matthew was infected before he was vaccinated, or that he could have contracted the virus after the vaccine because his immunity had not been strengthened. And for more on vaccine complications, check out the one side effect Dr. Fauci is worried about with his upcoming COVID vaccine.

Ramers said Matthew’s story illustrates that even with the vaccine, the pandemic won’t end overnight. “You hear health care practitioners being very optimistic that this is the beginning of the end, but it’s going to be slow, weeks to months as we roll out the vaccine,” he said. The doctor added that cases like this serve as a reminder to continue wearing masks and taking other precautions. And to learn more about vaccine deployment, these 2 states go against the CDC vaccine recommendations.