It’s important to have up-to-date information about coronavirus vaccinations for truck drivers as all people become eligible to get vaccinated, more doses become available, and new guidance for vaccinated people from the CDC gets released.
Here’s the latest news regarding COVID vaccines and truckers:
Vaccine Eligibility
Effective Monday, April 19th, 2021, all adults in the United States are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. The news guaranteed access to a vaccination for all Americans two weeks before President Joe Biden’s previous May 1st deadline that was set in March. “No more confusing rules, no more confusing restrictions,” Biden said during a press conference. “Everyone can get in line.”
All truckers in the United States are now eligible to receive their COVID vaccine free of charge. Some have experienced struggles booking an appointment due to limited availability of the new medicine, though suppliers are beginning to meet the high level of demand for vaccines around the country.
Vaccine Availability
The United States federal government and coronavirus vaccine manufacturers are doing everything possible to supply safe and effective vaccinations for all Americans, but complicated manufacturing and distribution challenges are prolonging the process.
In order to find a COVID-19 vaccine near you, go to vaccinefinder.org/search/, enter your 5-digit zip code and your search radius to receive the latest information about vaccine availability near you.
Post-Vaccination Guidelines
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released their most relaxed COVID restriction guidelines in a new release on Tuesday, April 27th. Scientists now say that once you are fully vaccinated, which is classified as 14 days after receiving your final dose of the coronavirus vaccination, people can “start doing many things they had stopped doing because of the pandemic.”
Activities that the CDC now deems as safe for fully vaccinated individuals includes indoor gatherings without masks or social distancing with other fully vaccinated people and indoor gatherings without masks or social distancing with unvaccinated people who do not have an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
This new guidance from our nation’s top health officials suggests that as the country gets vaccinated, we’re nearing the end of this pandemic. Use this link to find out how you can get your vaccination as soon as possible.
What Truckers Need To Know
There is important information that truckers need to know about COVID-19. Truck drivers are most vulnerable to being exposed to coronavirus while on the job when at truck stops and in close contact (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) with attendants, dock workers, or other truck drivers. Another high-risk exposure activity occurs when truckers touch or handle a frequently touched item and then touch their face, mouth, nose, or eyes.
To protect yourself and those you come in contact with, truckers should stay home if they experience any symptoms of coronavirus. If you’re sick, follow CDC recommendations. Notify your employer if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19 and do not return to work until you meet the criteria to leave quarantine.
Stay at least 6 feet away from others whenever possible at truck stops, where a cloth mask anytime you’re in public or at work with others, regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, and wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to protect yourself and those around you from COVID-19.
With reasonable safety precautions, there is cause for renewed optimism that the end of the pandemic is on the horizon. Each of us may celebrate by reflecting on the lessons learned during the year, lamenting the loss of loved ones, and showing gratitude for the many essential workers who served our country, including the brave men and women in the trucking industry.
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