Q: If my mom gets her two vaccine shots, will I then be able to hug her, or do I have to wait until I'm vaccinated?
A: The pandemic has changed how we interact with others, even our own family members. Many grandparents have not been able to see their grandchildren, and many of us have avoided visiting our parents and other family members to prevent virus spread.
As more and more people get vaccinated, the question of whether it is OK for them to start being with others is a good one. There are also a few things to consider regarding whether to wait to get your vaccine before visiting her. Now that your mom has been vaccinated, she is less likely to get severe disease, but there is still a small chance that she could get infected and possibly infect you, particularly if you still have not received your vaccine. This could happen because vaccinated people can still spread the virus.
One way to think about why this can still happen is to follow the virus's path as it enters the body of a vaccinated person. Once the virus is able to enter the lungs, the antibodies will stop the infection from progressing and causing severe disease. If, however, the virus is only in the nose (the port of entry into our body), the antibodies may not "see" the virus, allowing it to multiply and possibly be sneezed out and infect someone else. This is why it is still very important to continue wearing a mask, physically distance and to continue hand washing even after you have gotten the vaccine.
Also, it usually takes several weeks for the body to produce enough antibodies to be able to fight the infection, so timing your visit is important. Once you get vaccinated, all these risks still exist. Ultimately, as more people get vaccinated, we will reach herd immunity and be able to spend more time with friends and family members.
Fernando Urrego, M.D., is the interim health officer for the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department.
Contributed Photo / Dr. Fernando Urrego