A health expert says you can fly after the first dose of Pfizer or Moderna's vaccine, but you should still avoid crowded airports and destinations
People want to know if they can fly after getting their first Pfizer or Moderna vaccine dose.
An expert told Insider that it's relatively safe for partially vaccinated people to hop on a plane.
Partially vaccinated people should still avoid airport crowds, wear a mask, and social distance.
Two of the most common COVID vaccines in the US, made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, require two doses for full protection. During the period between doses, there are things partially vaccinated people should and should not do.
Where does flying fall on the list?
The good news: It's relatively safe for partially vaccinated people to get on a plane, Insider's health reporters Andrea Michelson and Kelsie Sandoval previously reported.
"A person traveling that's partially vaccinated is at lower risk than they were prior to being vaccinated," Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, previously told Insider.
Flying while partially vaccinated is safer than flying unvaccinated since the first dose provides some protection from the virus.
But the safest approach is to wait two weeks after you've received the second shot (or first if you received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine) before stepping onto a plane.
On Friday, the CDC released new guidance on traveling for vaccinated people. Fully vaccinated people can resume travel in the US, but there were no updates for partially vaccinated travelers.
There are a few precautions partially-vaccinated travelers should keep in mind.
Insider has previously reported that planes have the ability to filter air quickly and effectively.
However, other parts of your journey come with inherent risks.
Airports have more people-to-people interactions, and crowds often form for ticketing, security, and luggage. In these areas, it's best to social distance and avoid others.
It's also important to keep your mask on throughout your time inside the airport and airplane.
If you do end up flying, be mindful of what you do on the trip
Adalja said that it isn't so much the mode of transportation - whether that be a plane, train, or bus - it's what you do at your destination.
Traveling while partially vaccinated has relatively low risks, but there are other common activities that could put partially vaccinated people at risk of contracting and spreading the virus.
Adalja said partially vaccinated people should avoid indoor dining and indoor bars. They should also try to travel within their pandemic bubbles and avoided crowded tourist destinations. All of these situations can be hot spots COVID-19 spread.
He also advised people to continue to wear a mask and social distance throughout a trip.
If you're on the hunt for a destination open to US travelers, this map outlines the international and domestic destinations open and welcoming American visitors.
Read the original article on Insider
