Is It Safe to See Family After Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine?

With COVID-19 cases declining across the country, and three vaccines that effectively protect against serious illness, Americans have been letting down their guards. Family reunions are back on the calendar, and grandparents have been enjoying time with their grandchildren. But it's important to note that gatherings aren't completely free of danger, especially with reports of breakthrough cases and transmissible variants. Keep reading for some important things to consider before seeing family members—especially those who are older or immunocompromised.

In America, three COVID-19 vaccines are currently being distributed: Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. The best way to protect your family members is staying up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone ages 5 and older complete their primary vaccine series; people 12 and up should also get a booster shot.

The CDC has introduced COVID-19 Community Levels, which can help guide decisions when meeting with others. These community levels assess data on recent infections and hospitalizations in all American counties. Each county is assigned a low, medium, or high classification—and recommended prevention steps vary based on these classifications.

Planning a visit with family members? Check your location's COVID community level using this chart, then follow the recommended guidelines from the CDC.

If everyone in your family is vaccinated, you might think it's safe to host gatherings and parties. And while the CDC agrees that most people don't need to wear masks or social distance now, there's still so much about COVID we're uncertain about, says Jeannie Kenkare, D.O., FAAFP, chief medical officer of PhysicianOne Urgent Care. We spoke with experts about important factors to consider before visiting family members.

All available vaccines are highly effective at preventing hospitalization and death from COVID-19. That said, breakthrough cases are possible as immunity wanes over time, especially as contagious new variants emerge. And while most breakthrough cases are mild or asymptotic, severe illness can happen on rare occasions.

What's more, people who are vaccinated but take a medication that may weaken their immune system, or those who have an underlying medical condition, may not be fully protected if vaccinated and boosted, according to the CDC.

Make sure to keep these facts in mind when mulling over questions like "Can I hug my grandchildren after the vaccine?" or "Can I visit my grandparents?" You simply don't know whether your relatives will still be susceptible to COVID-19 after vaccination.

At this stage, experts are researching how long you're immune to COVID-19 after receiving the vaccine, says Rosemary Olivero, M.D., head of the pediatric infectious disease program at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. They've found that effectiveness does tend to decrease over time, especially when it comes to contagious new variants like Omicron. That's why U.S. health officials are recommending booster shots five months after vaccination with Pfizer and Moderna, and two months after vaccination with Johnson & Johnson. A second booster shot may also be available in the near future.

The vaccines are designed to protect vaccinated individuals from getting sick. Clinical trials didn't test whether they could still spread SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19, says Dr. Olivero. Vaccines usually prevent transmission, and while data indicates the COVID-19 vaccine might do the same, experts still aren't 100 percent sure of the specifics. Indeed, the Delta and Omicron variants are still transmitted by vaccinated individuals.

Why is this important for families? There are no vaccines currently available for children under the age of 5. "Although children have not been shown to get as sick from COVID-19, it is still possible for them to catch the virus and unknowingly spread it," says Sandra Adams, Ph.D., virologist and Professor of Biology at Montclair State University. In other words, your kids could possibly contract the coronavirus from vaccinated family members, although the risk is decreased.

Given the CDC's guidelines, it's probably safe for vaccinated people to visit (and hug!) their family members. Keep up to date on COVID-19 data trends and take recommended precautions.