What you can do after being fully vaccinated?

Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, provided guidance on what you can do after you've received your first dose and second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The only single-dose COVID-19 vaccine approved in Canada is Johnson & Johnson (J&J). However, in Oakville and Halton, the J&J vaccine is not available. Oakville residents have received either the mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) or AstraZeneca (AZ).

On June 27 COVID-19 Tracker indicates that 76.8% of eligible Canadians have received one dose, and just under 30% are fully vaccinated.

In Halton, anyone over the age of 12 is eligible to receive their first COVID-19 vaccination. As of Monday, June 28, anyone over 12 may receive their second vaccination, but there is a wait time between first and second doses. For mRNA vaccine recipients, their wait time between their first and second dose is 28 days, and for AZ, the wait time is eight weeks. However, the recommended time between first and second doses for AZ is 12 weeks. Also, currently, AZ vaccine availability is minimal, and therefore AZ vaccine recipients will be able to receive an mRNA vaccine.

What you can do after your first dose of a two-dose vaccine, which in Halton means everyone.

After four weeks or longer of receiving your first dose, your immune system will have started to build up your ability to resist being infected. However, one out of three people could still get infected if they are exposed to COVID-19, and of those, 20% who do get infected could develop severe illness. If you do become infected but show no symptoms, you can infect other people.

So what can you do? On June 30, Ontario moves into Step 2 of the official reopening, which means you will be able to do pretty much everything, but there will be capacity limits. However, restaurants and bars will still only be allowed to serve outside. Other businesses just such as movie theatres, casinos, arenas, will remain closed. You'll still need to wear a mask, socially distance, and maintain other public health recommendations.

Received your second vaccination - now what?

Two weeks after you have received your second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, here is what Dr. Tam has indicated is safe. It is important to remember, Ontario's rules and regulations for re-opening the province will stay in effect.

You can consider getting close to others without wearing a mask, taking into account the risk level of others and the setting,
After travelling, you do not need to quarantine
If you are exposed to a person with COVID-19, you do not need to quarantine

Dr. Tam explained that COVID-19 vaccines are not 100% effective. After two weeks of receiving their second dose, it is expected that five percent of people who are exposed to COVID-19 will become infected. However, symptoms will likely be minor.

SETTING or ACTIVITY (Always follow local guidelines for gatherings and public health measures)	YOU ARE Not vaccinated or Partially vaccinated	YOU ARE Fully vaccinated (i.e. you have received the full series of a vaccine authorized in Canada at least 14 days ago)
Outdoors with a small group of fully vaccinatedindividuals e.g. small family BBQ, camping with friends/family, swimming at the lake, sharing a hug	No mask or physical distancing is necessary if everyone is comfortable with that	No mask or physical distancing is necessary
Indoors with a small group of fully vaccinatedindividuals e.g. dinner with a small group of friends, watching a sporting event on TV, sharing a hug	Consider removing your mask and being physically close to the fully vaccinated individuals if everyone is comfortable with that, AND nobody is at risk of more severe disease or outcomes	No mask or physical distancing is necessary
Outdoors with people from multiple households who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or their vaccination status is unknown e.g. playing a close contact sport, gathering with a group of friends, child's outdoor birthday party, outdoor wedding	For now, consider wearing a mask if physical distancing cannot be maintained, especially if you or others are at risk of more severe disease or outcomes	No mask or physical distancing is necessary
Indoors with people from multiple households who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or their vaccination status is unknown e.g. private celebrations or ceremonies, indoor birthday party, places of worship, fitness facility	Wear a mask and maintain physical distancing Follow the measures put in place by the owner/organizer to reduce the risk of COVID-19 Keep windows and doors open, if possible	Follow the measures put in place by the owner/organizer to reduce the risk of COVID-19 If you are at risk of more severe disease or outcomes, consider wearing a mask and maintain physical distancing Keep windows and doors open, if possible
Indoors or outdoors in a large crowd where people are closely gathering e.g. large crowded concert, organized sporting event, large house party	Wear a mask Follow the measures put in place by the owner/organizer to reduce the risk of COVID-19 Maintain physical distancing wherever possible Consider only attending events where there are safety plans in place that follow local public health advice	If you are at risk of more severe disease or outcomes, consider wearing a mask and maintain physical distancing. Even if you are not at risk, you may still consider wearing a mask at an indoor crowded setting Follow the measures put in place by the owner/organizer to reduce the risk of COVID-19 for everyone