COVID-19 vaccination is our main weapon against the pandemic that is ravaging us. Its purpose is to protect us and, if we do get infected with COVID-19, to reduce its impact on our health. And after the vaccine… what?

To achieve this much-desired immunity, the vast majority of vaccines currently being administered require two doses, followed by a subsequent period of about 15 days to ensure this immunity, which, on the other hand, is not total.

"The vaccines that are currently being administered in the Western world confer an estimated immunity of between 65% and 80%, which is achieved after a minimum period of time between 10 and 15 days from inoculation. This immunity is not complete, nor does it protect us 100%, which is why it is necessary to boost this immunity with a second dose, which in most cases protects us between 85% and 95%.”

Dr. José Luis Palma, cardiologist, vice president of the Spanish Heart Foundation (FEC) and member of the Advisory Board of the Lovexair Foundation.

After this complete schedule and the waiting period, we must continue taking preventive measures, especially for older people, until we reach the so-called collective or herd immunity, which will not be achieved until 75% of the total population is vaccinated.

“We know that immune senescence, that is, the loss of effectiveness of the immune system, increases with age. Therefore, older people are more exposed than younger people to a severe infection by any variant of SARS-CoV-2, hence the importance of vaccinating, as has already been done with older people and now with young people. Until this collective immunity is achieved (it is estimated that this is achieved when more than 75% of the population is vaccinated) the prevention measures against a possible infection must be strictly followed: frequent hand washing, interpersonal distance, avoiding contagion with people other than us, use of a mask especially in closed spaces, etc.”

Dr. Jose Luis Palma

“Vaccines are not 100% effective, so even if you are immunized, you can still get the disease. That is why it is important to continue with social distancing measures and wearing masks until herd immunity is achieved, when you will be much less likely to get infected.”

Dr Enrique Mascarós Balaguer. Specialist in Family and Community Medicine in Valencia. Member of GRAP and the Advisory Board of the Lovexair Foundation.

So when can I say I have immunity?

As we have already mentioned, you will have completed your vaccination schedule two weeks later having received the second dose of the vaccines Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca, or your single dose, in the case of the vaccine JanssenIf you do not meet these requirements, regardless of age, you will NOT be fully vaccinated.

Additionally, if you take medication or have a condition that weakens your immune system, even after receiving the full course, you are NOT fully protected.

What if I am not fully vaccinated? What should I do?

You must continue to follow the prevention measures we have been implementing in recent months. Remember:

  • Wear a mask in closed spaces, and in Spain, from June 26, in open spaces where a safe distance cannot be maintained with people who do not live with you or who do not belong to the same bubble.
  • Frequent hand washing.
  • Avoid large crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
  • Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing. If you are wearing a mask, change it as soon as possible; if you are not wearing a mask, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow and wash your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces daily.
  • Monitor your health by watching for symptoms and checking your temperature.

What can I do if I'm already vaccinated?

After the vaccine and despite being fully vaccinated, experts ask us to be cautious and use common sense.

“Despite being vaccinated, even with two doses, a person, regardless of age, can be infected with the coronavirus in any of its variants, although accumulated experience indicates that in such cases the disease usually has a more favorable and less stormy course. But even if this is the case, older people, especially if they suffer from cardiopulmonary diseases, adult-onset diabetes, high blood pressure, ongoing tumor disease, kidney disorders or obesity, should be very cautious when establishing contact with other unvaccinated people, especially with those who are not part of the family, in order to avoid possible infection.”

Dr. Jose Luis Palma

If you have already been vaccinated, you can travel freely by presenting your vaccination certificate, without having to undergo a PCR or antigen test or similar. However, it should be noted that if the vaccine you have been administered is not one of those authorized in the destination country, then you may be asked to undergo a diagnostic test a few hours before traveling.

If you have been in contact with someone with COVID, you should not quarantine or get tested unless you are showing symptoms. If you are, you should get tested, stay home, and isolate yourself as much as possible.

You must continue to wear masks except in those places and circumstances where they are permitted. Please note that you will have to continue wearing them indoors until authorities say otherwise.

If your immune system is weakened due to an illness or taking certain medications, consult your doctor about specific measures you need to follow, in addition to those we all know.

In the future, once the time required to acquire immunity has passed, all fully vaccinated people gathered in an enclosed space could be without a mask and without maintaining a safe distance.

The vaccine in respiratory patients

“Patients with respiratory diseases, regardless of whether they are vaccinated, have to follow the same advice as people who are not vaccinated. The vaccine reduces the possibility of getting sick in case of infection, but risk is not zero”, explains the Dr Marc Miratvilles, a pulmonologist at the Vall d'Hebron Hospital in Barcelona and also a member of the Advisory Board of the Lovexair Foundation.

It also recommends these guidelines:

  • Continue to wear masks, especially indoors and in all those places where social distancing cannot be maintained.
  • Avoid all types of crowds and, above all, choose outdoor spaces to meet with other people.
  • Be consistent with the medication to treat your respiratory illness.

Following this line, the Dr. Enrique Mascarós advises us the following:

“Avoid indoor spaces where people remain without masks, that is, eating or dining on terraces that are well ventilated, thus greatly reducing the risk of infection when patients with respiratory diseases are not wearing masks.”

“Enjoy open spaces, where you can respect distances and be without a mask with the safety and relief of a certain return to normality – these are neither cities nor crowded places, but natural spaces such as beaches, mountains, etc.”

Is this vaccine definitive?

We don't know yet, but research continues to try to answer these questions:

  • Vaccine effectiveness against virus variants. It is known that vaccines may be effective against some COVID-19 variants, but may not be effective against others.
  • Effectiveness of vaccines in people with weakened immune systems.
  • The duration of protection provided by vaccines.

Long COVID and vaccine

Although further research is needed on this subject, as with everything related to this disease, in the XXVII National Congress of General and Family Medicine held last June, preliminary studies have been presented on the Survey on the effects after the COVID-19 vaccine in those affected by Persistent COVID.

The following data can be extracted from this survey, which was answered by 273 people:

  • 55% say they have not improved or felt the same after vaccination.
  • 18% have worsened, but it is not clear whether this is due to side effects from the vaccine or a worsening of their condition.
  • 26% have improved after some dose.

Patients who did not have new symptoms in the days before vaccination, those who had few symptoms before and when the acute illness began, and those who had intermittent symptoms before receiving the vaccine appeared to improve.

Regardless, experts recommend its use as it is a fundamental weapon against COVID, and it is essential to identify patients in whom a worsening is possible.

Video of the online workshop (January 21, 2021) given by the Dr. Esther Barreiro, Pulmonologist at the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, ​​group leader at the Biomedical Research Network Centre for Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES) and Professor at the UPF.

Author: Eva Maroto

Fonts:

https://espanol.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html
https://www.comunidad.madrid/servicios/salud/vacunacion-frente-coronavirus-comunidad-madrid
https://www.mayoclinic.org/es-es/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/expert-answers/visits-after-covid-19-vaccination/faq-20506463
https://diariosanitario.com/vacunas-long-covid/
https://gacetamedica.com/profesion/el-26-de-los-pacientes-con-covid-persistente-mejoran-tras-la-vacunacion/

Last updated on 7 March, 2026