Doctors at Marian Regional discuss testing for those vaccinated with COVID-19 symptoms

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - More than a year into the pandemic, having three different COVID-19 vaccines that are widely available brings hope for many.

"I’ve been fully vaccinated with the Moderna, and I feel completely safe now, because I feel like I can be around my family who have also been vaccinated," said Scott Sanders of Santa Maria.

Doctors at Marian Regional Medical Center confirm those vaccines are extraordinarily effective in fighting the virus.

“They are 100 percent effective at preventing hospitalizations and severe illness," said Dr. Scott Robertson at Marian Regional Medical Center.

But Robertson said the vaccine is not completely effective at preventing all infections. "And you could transmit that virus to another individual."

Robertson said if you become sick, even if vaccinated, it’s important to stay home. "If your symptoms are consistent with what could be COVID-19, such as upper respiratory symptoms, a cough, fever or any other unexplained symptoms, it would still be important for you to get tested before you return to work," he said.

Health experts remind everyone, even those fully vaccinated, you still need to take many of the precautions for now.

"Even if you’re vaccinated it doesn’t mean you can’t still spread Covid. So it’s still very important that you social distance, that you were a mask, and that you wash your hands. Chances are, even if you do spread it, you won't even know that you did," said pharmacist Sagar Asodia at JDX Pharmacy.

According to the CDC, health experts are still trying to determine how long immunity lasts after vaccination.