CDC Updates Covid Recommendations: Changes to Isolation Period and Additional Shots for Seniors
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced two significant updates to their Covid recommendations. These changes aim to reflect the progress made in reducing hospitalizations and deaths from Covid over the past two years, while still emphasizing the importance of vaccines and treatments.
Isolation Period Changes
The first change applies to individuals who test positive for Covid-19. Previously, the CDC recommended a minimum isolation period of ten days. However, the new guidelines state that people with Covid no longer need to stay away from others for at least five days. This change is intended to make the CDC’s guidance easier for Americans to understand and follow, especially as many individuals are no longer willing or able to spend a week out of work or school.
The updated isolation guidelines specify that individuals may resume daily activities if they have been fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours and if their symptoms have been improving overall for at least 24 hours. These recommendations align with the agency’s public health advice for the flu and other respiratory illnesses. It’s important to note that these guidelines do not apply to healthcare settings or nursing homes.
The CDC also advises people who are recovering from Covid or other respiratory viruses to take additional precautions for five days. These precautions include wearing well-fitting masks, washing hands regularly, limiting close contact with others, improving ventilation in spaces, and testing as needed.
The agency supports these changes by highlighting that states and countries that have already shortened their Covid isolation times have not experienced increased hospitalizations or deaths related to the virus. California and Oregon are among the regions that have successfully implemented shorter isolation periods.
Some health experts had advocated for a shorter isolation period even before the official announcement. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious diseases expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, stated that there is little evidence to suggest that the five-day isolation period effectively stops the spread of the virus.
However, not all experts agree with the CDC’s new guidance. Dr. Eric Topol, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, criticized the agency’s recommendations, stating that they “promote people shedding virus to infect others.” He argued that most people will still be infectious if they exit isolation earlier, based on evidence from rapid antigen tests.
Additional Shots for Seniors
The second recommendation from the CDC targets seniors. The agency advises that individuals aged 65 and older should receive an additional updated shot against the virus this spring. This recommendation aligns with the CDC’s previous endorsement of a second dose of last year’s Covid shot for seniors and immunocompromised individuals.
The updated vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax are designed to target the omicron subvariant XBB.1.5. However, these shots also provide protection against the JN.1 subvariant, which currently accounts for over 90% of new Covid infections in the U.S.
CDC Director Mandy Cohen revealed that researchers are currently working on selecting a strain for the upcoming version of the vaccine. The decision on which strain to design vaccines around will likely be made in May. Cohen also stated that individuals should anticipate receiving an updated Covid shot alongside their annual flu shot in the future.
The CDC’s new recommendations reflect the agency’s efforts to balance relaxing and simplifying health guidelines with the ongoing need to combat the virus through vaccines and treatments. By providing clearer and more manageable guidance, the CDC aims to ensure that Americans can better understand and adhere to Covid protocols.
