CDC’s New Isolation Guidance Treats Unvaccinated the Same as Un-boosted

The Centers for Disease Control has moved one step closer to changing the definition of fully vaccinated to include only those who have received a booster.

Earlier, I noted how the CDC arbitrarily halved its quarantine guidance from ten days to five. But one other thing I found interesting is that in its revised guidance for those who have been exposed, it lumps in vaccinated individuals who have not been boosted with those who were never vaccinated.

The guidance reads:

For people who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second mRNA dose (or more than 2 months after the J&J vaccine) and not yet boosted, CDC now recommends quarantine for 5 days followed by strict mask use for an additional 5 days. Alternatively, if a 5-day quarantine is not feasible, it is imperative that an exposed person wear a well-fitting mask at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure. Individuals who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.

The message is clear — if you are vaccinated but un-boosted, you need to take the same level of precaution as those who have never been vaccinated.