Vaccines

Do I Still Have to Quarantine If I’m Vaccinated?

Sasha Baumann
Published: January 13, 2022

Quarantine is for people who were exposed to COVID but are not feeling sick and have not tested positive for COVID. In December 2021, CDC updated their quarantine guidance. 

Do I have to quarantine if I’m fully vaccinated (and eligible for, but not yet boosted)?

  • YES! You should quarantine by staying inside away from others for 5 days. 
  • You can come out of quarantine after 5 days if you have no symptoms, but you should continue to wear a mask around others for 5 more days. 
  • AND you should get a test (a molecular test like RT-PCR, PCR, NAAT is preferred) 5 days after exposure.

Do I have to quarantine if I got my first or second shot less than 2 weeks ago? 

  • YES! You should quarantine by staying inside away from others for 5 days and then, if your symptoms are resolved, continue to wear a mask around others for 5 more days. 
  • AND you should get a test (a molecular test like RT-PCR, PCR, NAAT is preferred) 5 days after exposure.

Do I have to quarantine if I’m vaccinated and boosted?

  • NO! You do not need to quarantine. However, you do need to wear a mask around others for 10 days. 
  • AND you should get a test (a molecular test like RT-PCR, PCR, NAAT is preferred) 5 days after exposure.

Do I have to quarantine if I’m vaccinated and not yet eligible for a booster?

  • NO! You do not need to quarantine. However, you do need to wear a mask around others for 10 days. 
  • AND you should get a test (a molecular test like RT-PCR, PCR, NAAT is preferred) 5 days after exposure.

Does my child who is fully vaccinated but not boosted  need to quarantine?

  • NO! They do not need to quarantine unless instructed to by the school. However, they should wear a mask around others for 10 days after the exposure and follow school guidelines for testing and returning to the classroom. 
  • If your child is 12+ years old and not yet boosted, it is recommended to get them a booster shot as soon as possible. 

We recommend anyone who has been exposed to COVID avoid other people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, as well as nursing homes and other high-risk settings, for at least 10 days. We also recommend you avoid travel for 10 days.

If you start to have any symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive, regardless of your vaccination status, then you should follow CDC isolation guidelines instead. 

First Posted: September 24,2021 11:33 AM EST

Last update: January 11, 2022, 14:00 EST

Update review: HAY, ERS, GSN