Is It Time to Redefine “Fully Vaccinated”?

Nearly two years of Covid, and the emerging variants indicate that it’s not going away anytime soon. We’ve adapted our business models and facilities to create safe environments. At Guideway, the uncertainty of this pandemic has resulted in an increase in people creating or updating their Living Trusts. A Trust is especially important for those with young children. If something happens to you, who will care for your children? Without a Trust, the court appoints a guardian for your kids. By creating a Trust, you can name a guardian and be assured that your family will inherit your assets as you have planned. In the meantime, getting a booster shot is the best way to protect yourself against Covid.

The CDC is now recommending booster shots for everyone over 18

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending that everyone 18 and older get a Covid booster shot. This messaging is more urgent than that of just a few months ago when the recommendation was for those 50 and older. Dr. Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to President Joe Biden, is now unequivocal in advising the public to “get boosted now.”

According to CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, “As science evolves, we will look at whether we need to update our definition of ‘fully vaccinated.’ The definition hasn’t changed. That’s after your second dose of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, after your single dose of a Johnson & Johnson vaccine.”

Even with vaccinations, immunity wanes

Two state governors are taking the booster seriously.

• Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont. “In my view, if you were vaccinated more than six months ago, you’re not fully vaccinated,” said Lamont on Nov. 18 during a press briefing. He was encouraging everyone to get boosted—even before the federal government authorized extra shots for everyone.
• New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham had a similar response in mid-November, saying she defined “fully vaccinated” as receiving three shots of the mRNA type. She also opened up booster eligibility to all of her state residents before the CDC and Food and Drug Administration did.

Infections with the omicron variant have been reported in at least five states. Omicron is distinguished by at least 50 mutations, some of which appear to be associated with increased transmissibility. The World Health Organization dubbed it a “variant of concern” on Nov. 26.

The social implications of changing vaccination status

An increasing number of venues require proof of vaccination for entrance. New York City’s Key to NYCrequires that people 12 and older show identification and proof they have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine for access to indoor dining, fitness and entertainment venues. France’s Pass Sanitaire is required for access to all cultural venues, restaurants and bars. Passengers of long-distance trains, buses and domestic airlines need this pass. Think of all of the workplaces that have vaccine mandates—the Department of Defense, Goldman Sachs, MacDonalds, Cisco, American Express, Facebook, Ford, etc. It’s a growing list.

One doctor doesn’t quantify “fully vaccinated”

Dr. Marc Siegel, an associate professor of medicine at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences thinks more suitable terminology would be to call someone “adequately” vaccinated against covid rather than “fully” vaccinated, since it’s possible that more boosters could be needed in the future — making “full vaccination” a matter of semantics and a moving target.

Businesses don’t appear to be checking for boosters at this time, but that could change. There may be a time when patrons present a two-shot vaccine passport, only to be turned away as inadequately protected.

A thoughtful gift for your family this holiday: Create or update your Living Trust.

As you prepare your home for winter and get caught up on vaccines that will help you and your family stay healthy through the coming months, this is also a great time to create or update your Living Trust. With families gathered for the holidays, it’s also the perfect time to encourage aging family members to create their Living Trusts.

We’re proud of our comprehensive Living Trust package that includes a Power of Attorney and Advanced Healthcare Directive. Best of all, we guide you through it and we prepare the legal documents. Schedule an appointment with Guideway today.

Guideway services the entire Bay Area

Berkeley, El Cerrito, Richmond, Pinole, Alameda, San Leandro, Castro Valley Newark, San Lorenzo, Concord, Alamo, Danville, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, Pleasant Hill, Martinez, Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Pleasanton, San Ramon, Livermore, Tracy and Fremont. Our clients also live in the Napa Valley, Benicia, Vallejo, Martinez, Fairfield.