Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), who acquired a second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine earlier this month, examined optimistic for the virus on Friday.
One other Democrat from Massachusetts, Rep. Lori Trahan, introduced Thursday she had additionally examined optimistic. Each lawmakers are reportedly asymptomatic.
Lynch acquired two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine previous to the inauguration of President Joe Biden on Jan. 20, Molly Rose Tarpey, Lynch’s communications director, mentioned in a press release.
“Whereas Mr. Lynch stays asymptomatic and feels high-quality, he’ll self-quarantine and can vote by proxy in Congress through the coming week,” she mentioned.
Tarpey didn’t specify the precise date Lynch acquired the second dose of the vaccine.
Trahan said in a statement that she would additionally vote by proxy whereas she self-quarantined. She acquired her first shot of one of many vaccines final week, her spokesperson Francis Grubar instructed The Washington Publish.
In line with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, it’s doable for folks to check optimistic after receiving one or each doses of the vaccine.
“It usually takes a couple of weeks for the physique to construct immunity (safety towards the virus that causes COVID-19) after vaccination,” the CDC web site acknowledged. “Which means it’s doable an individual might be contaminated with the virus that causes COVID-19 simply earlier than or simply after vaccination and nonetheless get sick. It’s because the vaccine has not had sufficient time to supply safety.”
Public well being consultants have pressured that it may take every week or two after the second shot for the vaccine to achieve its most efficacy. In line with the CDC, individuals who have acquired each vaccine doses are nonetheless suggested to put on masks and follow social distancing and good hygiene.
Specialists don’t but know if individuals who have acquired the vaccine can nonetheless unfold the virus, even when they don’t get sick themselves.
“Whereas consultants be taught extra concerning the safety that COVID-19 vaccines present below real-life situations, it is going to be vital for everybody to proceed utilizing all of the instruments accessible to assist cease this pandemic,” the CDC web site acknowledged.
A number of different Home Democrats examined optimistic for COVID-19 after they went into lockdown with Republican members of Congress, a few of whom refused to put on masks, through the Jan. 6 Capitol rebellion.
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