Good Question: When can grandparents see grandkids after getting the vaccine?

EDITOR’S NOTE: Fully-vaccinated Americans can gather with other vaccinated people indoors without wearing a mask or social distancing, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday.

The recommendations also say that vaccinated people can come together in the same way with people considered at low-risk for severe diseases, such as in the case of vaccinated grandparents visiting healthy children and grandchildren.

Click here to read the latest guidance from the CDC.

ORIGINAL STORY

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC)— Here’s a Good Question about the virus and your family.

It’s something we’ve all had to deal with, spending months separated from relatives to be safe, or just limiting the time when you can see each other. With more vaccines going in arms, and seniors getting their 2nd dose, News10NBC’s Brennan Somers is hearing from grandparents asking what’s next.

Margaret says: With grandchildren ages 3 and 6 we can’t wait to have them in our home again for meals, visits, or perhaps a sleepover. Will that be safe when there isn’t a vaccine for children yet?

Very good question.

Health experts say if members of a family are all vaccinated, getting together poses much less of a risk. But, you still have to be careful. The issue is, we know fully vaccinated grandparents will have protection to keep them from getting very sick, but what about still getting and spreading the virus to young grandchildren who can’t have a shot yet?

That may be very rare, as recent studies have shown some promising signs that the chances of spreading the virus after having the vaccine are far lower than someone who doesn’t have their shots yet, but more research is needed.

So what can you do in the meantime?

Infectious disease experts say after getting the vaccine, families who do get together with older relatives should still take precautions just like what we’ve been doing. Wear a mask, keep the group small– inside maybe just two to three people, or get outdoors.

The CDC is expected to issue some new guidelines in the coming days for fully vaccinated people.
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