As more people are starting to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, many workplaces are beginning to lift mask restrictions and other COVID-19 restrictions for their business. While we are still a long way from returning to normal, many parts of normal life are starting to return to the workplace. Here is everything you need to know about returning to work after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine from the safety experts at STC:
You Can Still Get COVID-19 While Vaccinated
The first, and likely most important, thing to remember after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is that you can still become infected. While all brands of vaccine in the U.S. have shown promising signs of preventing infections in some people, it’s overall goal is to prevent the user from becoming fatally sick after being infected. Vaccinated people may still contract the virus, but sustain little to no symptoms. This means if you become infected, you may still be able to spread the virus to others that are not vaccinated, so safety measures are necessary.
Understanding the Signs of COVID-19
If you have just received your first or second dose of the vaccine within the last few days, there will be symptoms associated with the vaccination. Symptoms like headaches, fever, fatigue and nausea are common, but others can certainly still occur. If you experience these symptoms after vaccination, this is a very normal response and there is no reason to fear that you are infected.
However, symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath, or loss of taste or smell are not consistent with post-vaccination side effects. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it may be necessary for you to get tested for COVID-19. These symptoms are likely to be milder than in those who are not vaccinated, but it is still important to get tested.
Lifting Restrictions After the COVID-19 Vaccine
The good news about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is that if a majority of people in your workplace are vaccinated, certain restrictions may no longer be necessary. The CDC has announced that mask restrictions and social distancing are no longer necessary for those who are fully-vaccinated and past the two-week waiting period. For those who are waiting to receive the vaccine or are choosing not to receive it, these restrictions should still be required of them.
No matter how you choose to prepare your employees for life post-vaccination, STC is here to help guide you through every step. We offer a wide variety of managed safety services, from onsite safety staffing to safety consulting to help prepare your employees for every situation. Want to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine in the workplace? Check out our blog today!
Photo Sourced from Getty Images: #1291768006
