From businesses closing down, families being asked to stay at home, to strict legislation laws on local and international travel, the world has never witnessed such a disastrous experience since the first case of COVID-19 was reported. But there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel in the form of vaccines. If you are a tourism enthusiast, you probably have many questions lingering in your mind regarding how safe it will be for you to visit different parts of the world after being vaccinated.
What Next After Getting the Vaccine?
The good news is the World Travel and Tourism Council announced in early November that the world’s GDP is projected to allocate about $4.7 to cater to travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, doctors advise travelers to exercise great precautions. While vaccines might prevent you from contracting the deadly virus, they are not 100% as effective as many would think.
For an individual with low immunity, there is nothing much a vaccine can do. Even if you have taken the second shot, it will take a few weeks to become fully immune to the virus. People with preexisting medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and heart conditions are more vulnerable to COVID-19, making it more difficult to survive an attack from the virus. That means that even if you have gotten the shot, you should still wear a mask, sanitize and practice social distancing.
Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe and Effective?
At the moment, about 4.2 million Americans have already been vaccinated against the Corona Virus. This discovery was made after scientists performed a wide range of tests to determine its safety and effectiveness. However, knowing whether the vaccine is 100% effective remains a mystery. Pfizer and Moderna did not conduct Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing on individuals who volunteered to undergo the vaccination is a clear indication that it can only offer about 95% protection on symptomatic cases.
A vaccine’s primary goal is to protect you from a particular disease and prevent you from further spreading the virus. Therefore, it is expected that the COVID-19 vaccine will not be any different. Still, there are many theories that suggest that it may not work on some individuals.
The Precautions to Take When Travelling
Whether you have been vaccinated or are not planning to, practicing safe habits can go a long way in protecting you from the virus. Before you board a plane, a bus, or a train, ensure that you wear a mask at all times. Ensure that your mode of travel does not entertain the idea of having seats next to each other. Finally, wash your hands or apply a hand sanitizer before and after you board your plane.
Prevention is better than cure. It is safer to assume that you have not been vaccinated instead of exposing yourself to anything that makes you susceptible to the virus. Practice all these safe habits and enjoy COVID-free travel around the world.