Miami Valley doctor explains perks of being fully vaccinated

MIAMI VALLEY — Nearly 1.4 million Ohioans have had at least one Covid vaccine shot.

“Have patience. We’re getting there,” Dr. Joseph Allen, a regional medical director with Premier Health said.

He explained, getting vaccinated will be a step toward getting to whatever normal will be in the future.

“We are moving in that direction, so we know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. I can’t tell you exactly where it is, or how far off it is, but I can see it. We’re getting closer to it,” Dr. Allen said.

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He said those who are two weeks out from their second Covid shot can start to ease up on certain Covid guidelines, sometimes. Those who are able to create an exclusive social circle with only people who are also fully immunized can ditch masks and social distancing rules within that bubble.

However, he cautioned, it is important to set strict rules within this bubble.

“You don’t want to have a bubble with one person running around seeing everybody, because it is potentially possible that it may be that small percentage of folks that didn’t get the immunity from the vaccine. They could still contract it, bring it back,” Dr. Allen said.

The CDC now says people who are fully vaccinated no longer need to quarantine if exposed.

However, most Ohioans have not even gotten one shot yet. Therefore, Dr. Allen said, even if someone is fully vaccinated, while spending time outside of a fully immunized group, that person still has to keep Covid safety in mind and continue to socially distance and wear masks.

Cox Media Group