For a year now, there’s been no unhindered exercising at the gym. No vacations. No visiting with friends. And no long lunches out at our favorite restaurants, once a thrice-weekly indulgence.

After the pandemic started last February, we ceased all normal activities and have been trapped in a bubble.

But now that we’ve received our second dose of the vaccine, can we resume normal activities? What is it safe to do?

With nearly 3 million doses given in our country now against COVID-19, many ask the same questions. Should they hug their grandchildren? Attend gathering? Go shopping? What about having plumbers and electricians inside their homes? Or flying?

COVID-19 vaccines are effective at protecting you from getting sick. Based on what we know about COVID-19 vaccines, people who have been fully vaccinated can start to do some things they had stopped doing because of the pandemic.

We’re still learning how vaccines will affect the spread of COVID-19. The vaccination may help reduce the spread of the disease in communities.

After getting vaccinated against COVID-19, you should keep taking precautions in public places like wearing a mask, staying 6 feet apart from others, and avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces until we know more.

People considered fully vaccinated:

• 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, like the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines.

If it has been less than two weeks since your shot, or if you still need to get your second dose, you are NOT fully protected. Keep taking all prevention steps until you are fully vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccination will be an essential tool to help stop the pandemic

Take the step and book your appointment. Stop the spread.

— Deputy Director of the Clinical Service and assistant director infection control & hospital epidemiology at King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC)/ Jeddah