CDC says fully vaccinated Americans no longer need masks indoors or outdoors in most cases
Americans who are fully vaccinated can go without masks or physical distancing in most cases, even when they are indoors or in large groups, federal officials said Thursday, paving the way for a full reopening of society.
The change represents a huge shift symbolically and practically for pandemic-weary Americans, millions of whom have lived with the restrictions for more than a year. A growing number have complained about having to endure restrictions even after being fully vaccinated, and have accused the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of being overly cautious. More than 117 million Americans are now fully vaccinated, or about 35 percent of the population.
CDC officials cited a growing body of real-world evidence demonstrating the efficacy of the coronavirus vaccines and noted that the shots offer protection even against more-contagious virus variants circulating in the United States. They said they also factored in the country's declining case numbers and the rarity of breakthrough infections in people who have been fully vaccinated. Nonetheless, officials cautioned that the guidelines could change again if the pandemic should worsen.
Americans who are fully vaccinated can go without masks or physical distancing in most cases, even when they are indoors or in large groups, federal officials said Thursday, paving the way for a full reopening of society.
The change represents a huge shift symbolically and practically for pandemic-weary Americans, millions of whom have lived with the restrictions for more than a year. A growing number have complained about having to endure restrictions even after being fully vaccinated, and have accused the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of being overly cautious. More than 117 million Americans are now fully vaccinated, or about 35 percent of the population.
CDC officials cited a growing body of real-world evidence demonstrating the efficacy of the coronavirus vaccines and noted that the shots offer protection even against more-contagious virus variants circulating in the United States. They said they also factored in the country's declining case numbers and the rarity of breakthrough infections in people who have been fully vaccinated. Nonetheless, officials cautioned that the guidelines could change again if the pandemic should worsen.
