FRANKFORT Ky. — As more Kentuckians are vaccinated for the Coronavirus, questions remain about when it’s safe for grandparents to see their grandchildren after getting the vaccine.
“As every grandparent knows, your grandchildren are the reason to live, explains Grandmother Debbie Burton.
Burton is itching to have her six grandkids come over to the house after not hugging them for nearly a year due to COVID-19.
“You drive up or they get out of the car, they scream 'Mamaw' and they come running to you and throw themselves at you and it’s awesome. Now, we don’t have that,” explains Burton.
Before the pandemic, Burton used to see her grandchildren weekly. But as the virus continues to spread and risks are clear, she has chosen to keep her distance to protect her husband Barry who has Myasthenia Gravis, an autoimmune disease.
“If he was to get sick and really sick it might generalize throughout his body and he might have to face that issue of having the panic of not being able to breathe,” says Burton.
Many are wondering if grandparents who have been vaccinated can safely visit their grandkids.
According to Dr. Tony Weaver, Internal Medicine Physician at UofL Health says it depends on if you have received both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
“I like to think of the COVID vaccine as one tool, but it is not by itself the end of the pandemic,” explains Dr. Weaver.
Even with promising results from the vaccine, Dr. Weaver says it’s important to remain vigilant, especially after receiving the vaccine.
“If I had body armor that covered 95% of my body I could probably take a shot, but I don’t want to walk in front of a machine gun. Right now, there’s enough COVID virus in the community it’s sort of like a machine gun, says Dr. Weaver.
He advises older people to wait until they have received both doses of the vaccine. Then, allow at least two additional weeks to pass. “I think it is reasonable to think that grandparents and grandkids can get together in small groups after again two weeks after that second vaccine,” suggests Dr. Weaver.
Once vaccinated, medical professionals say Kentuckians should not throw away the coronavirus safety guidelines.
“We have a long way to go before you can just walk into your children’s, your parent's house, without a mask on, a large family get together indoors,” explains Dr. Weaver.
Burton and her husband are counting down the days to give their grandchildren a long-overdue hug.
“I just live with that day that I can have them all over with this big idea, this wonderful day, instead they’ll get on my nerves and be fighting with each other half the time. But anyway living for that moment.
Health Professionals say if you are still out in the community, it’s important to still get tested frequently.