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lisatrevor Asked December 11, 2023

Vaccinated elderly ok to be around others who are unvaccinated?

My father who is in his 80's is vaccinated with the most recent covid vaccine. He has been to and has been invited to some holiday parties and events with many people. Some places are very small, like a living room in a small house. Some people I imagine are not vaccinated. Are there any current recommendations for this?

againx100 Dec 11, 2023
Being around people, vaxxed or not, always gives you the possibility of getting sick. With many things, people are contagious before they show symptoms. Unless he's wicked paranoid and a germaphobe, he should go to the parties and enjoy himself. He could do some supplements to boost his immune system like vitamin c and d, zinc and probiotics.

lealonnie1 Dec 11, 2023
My husband had a liver transplant in 2022 and the Mayo Clinic told them all NOT to get ANY covid boosters. Your father should live his life free and clear of all this nonsense and have fun. We're all going to die......and I'd rather life what's left of my life w/o worrying about this stupid virus. If I get it, I get it, "vaccinated" or not. Enough already. 80% of humans are done getting boosters as it is bc the side effects can be worse than the virus! I don't care if the "CDC" recommends living in a bubble! Been there done that and look at the chaos that ensued as a result.
Southernwaver Dec 11, 2023
The side effects are not at all worse than the virus. I thought I had pneumonia for a day and thought about going to the ER (didn’t feel like doing that).

It’s my first time having it. It’s a very nasty virus and I 100% do not want it again. Its scary.

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waytomisery Dec 11, 2023
It’s up to your father what he wants to attend . There is always some risk . If the people are important to him I’m guessing he will want to take the risk and attend.

NeedHelpWithMom Dec 11, 2023
It’s a personal choice. Your dad will tell you and your brother what he wants to choose.

Southernwaver Dec 11, 2023
I just caught Covid and I’m vaccinated. This strain is highly contagious and it’s not like a cold.

AlvaDeer Dec 11, 2023
Being vaccinated is no guarantee against getting covid. I myself am s/p 6 in total. I still mask out in public on transit and so on. Your father can still get covid, but is much less likely to die of it now due to the virus itself weakening and due to his being vaccinated. Long covid however is an increasingly more worrisome problem with our just beginning to understand that covid creates an inflammatory process and clotting disorders with vessel problems sometimes long after covid is off the scene it is thought. It will take a good long time to know more. Your father should take masking precautions in public venues and etc. as he chooses. You can read current recommendations on the CDC site. I feel people are weighing risks, choices now for themselves. You and your dad should do the same.
Southernwaver Dec 11, 2023
Alva, based in my experience, I don’t think the virus is weakening. I mean, maybe it is (which is frightening) but it’s bad. I am honestly surprised at how bad it is given how many have minimized it. (In general, not you). Maybe I have a particularly nasty strain.
JoAnn29 Dec 11, 2023
COVID in my area is on the rise. Local NH is on lockdown. He can get it and at his age I would be careful.

Geaton777 Dec 11, 2023
I know several people who were boosted this season and they still got covid. One is my neighbor with Crohns and in his late 30s. He recovered fine. There's just no guarantees. It is going around in my MIL's facility. No one has been hospitalized or died. The iterations of covid means it is more contagious but less deadly. Unless your Father also has other risk factors (like immunocompromised, COPD, etc) he can maybe worry less about what happens if he does get it. That being said, other things are going around, like RSV.

Geaton777 Dec 12, 2023
My Mom is 94 and goes to the grocery store every day and Costco or Kohl's at least once a week without a mask. She did get the seasonal flu shot in September but has never had the covid boosters. She's even been exposed to her great grandkids during Thanksgiving, and went to my MILs facility that day to eat with her. So far this season (here in chilly MN) my Mom has not even had a cold.

I don't think the covid tests are that accurate and the vaccines not that effective. I think the medical community won't know for a while why some people get covid multiple times even after boosting, and others not at all, like my Mom. People just need to either accept the risks of public exposure or just stay cloistered.
NeedHelpWithMom Dec 12, 2023
It’s a virus. Just like there are different strains of the flu. There are different variants of Covid.

Vaccines are not ever going to be a ‘one size fits all’ kind of thing. Viruses are always evolving.

The vaccine is designed to be a precautionary measure. Ir won’t prevent the virus from occurring.

People can choose to get vaccinated or not get vaccinated.

Honestly, it doesn’t matter how many myths are debunked, people are going to believe whatever they choose to believe.
Grandma1954 Dec 12, 2023
There is always a risk.
There has ALWAYS been a risk that you will catch a cold or flu when around people in a small room.
And any flu can be fatal. Flu has always caused many deaths each year.
The smart thing to do if he has a weakened immune system is he should wear a mask in a situation where he will be in contact with a lot of people.
I understand many people will not want to do that.
Handwashing or the use of a hand sanitizer would be the next best thing. Most now come in small containers that he can easily use some.
If he has been invited to parties I am going to assume that he knows many of the people and they will fully understand his caution if he does wear a mask.
I see a lot of people wearing masks in the stores and I do not think anyone even thinks about it.

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