Should you fly home to get the vaccine when it’s your turn?

Actually my question is more technical. If the incubation period for COVID is more than one day, if you were exposed to Covid on the trip on the plane to get the vaccine, would not the vaccine begin to work and disarm the virus? So trying to assess risk, flying home to get the vaccine seems to be the safer approach

Hello @jeannettepma5 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I understand you are looking for advice on traveling back home from where you are spending this winter months in order to get the vaccine when you are able to do so.

I will venture to guess that you are not alone in this decision and many others will be facing the same in the coming weeks and months. Weighing the risk is a very individual decision full of many factors. The CDC released the following travel recommendations that you might find helpful:

-Domestic Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic (12/02/2002)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html
In addition, I think this is a good example of a question well-suited for your doctor knowing he/she understands your individual health risks most clearly. Have you consulted with your provider? If so, what was the feedback?

Hi Jeannette - In answer to your question about whether the vaccine would prevent Covid if you were exposed during travel, then had the shot the next day.

Immunity from a vaccine injection is not instantaneous, therefore the answer would be no. The injection activates production of antibodies which must build up in your system. People with weakened immune systems, or older people usually take longer to form the antibodies than young, healthy individuals. With a typical, single-injection vaccine like the flu shot, protection is considered to begin at about 2 weeks, and be fully active at about a month. The Covid vaccines currently approved for use require 2 injections, 2 - 4 weeks apart, so I would believe you should not count on any protection before a second shot.

My husband and I are having a similar discussion, as are many of our snowbird friends. Other important considerations, no matter how much we dislike snow and cold... The warmest places currently seem to have the highest levels of infection and hospital occupancy rates, and the lowest rates of mandated precautions or people voluntarily taking precautions. This increases risk during day-to-day activities. Large numbers of people traveling from many places to the warmth are potentially bringing the virus along. If they do not self-quarantine upon arrival, that means increased risk of exposure. Just as critical, all these factors can mean decreased availability of medical care for any other accident, injury or illness.

I hope this helps with your decision-making.
Sue

Hi Jeannette - In answer to your question about whether the vaccine would prevent Covid if you were exposed during travel, then had the shot the next day.

Immunity from a vaccine injection is not instantaneous, therefore the answer would be no. The injection activates production of antibodies which must build up in your system. People with weakened immune systems, or older people usually take longer to form the antibodies than young, healthy individuals. With a typical, single-injection vaccine like the flu shot, protection is considered to begin at about 2 weeks, and be fully active at about a month. The Covid vaccines currently approved for use require 2 injections, 2 - 4 weeks apart, so I would believe you should not count on any protection before a second shot.

My husband and I are having a similar discussion, as are many of our snowbird friends. Other important considerations, no matter how much we dislike snow and cold... The warmest places currently seem to have the highest levels of infection and hospital occupancy rates, and the lowest rates of mandated precautions or people voluntarily taking precautions. This increases risk during day-to-day activities. Large numbers of people traveling from many places to the warmth are potentially bringing the virus along. If they do not self-quarantine upon arrival, that means increased risk of exposure. Just as critical, all these factors can mean decreased availability of medical care for any other accident, injury or illness.

I hope this helps with your decision-making.
Sue

I did not ask my doctor. I like science-based answers and his would be an opinion as a Primary Care. Hoping for an ID doctor response.