Fauci: CDC will release new guidance for vaccinated Americans ‘very soon’

The nation’s top infectious diseases expert Anthony Fauci said Thursday that Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would issue new guidance in the coming days for Americans who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

In an interview Thursday evening with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, President Biden’s chief medical adviser said that a “series” of announcements would come in the days ahead defining best practices for Americans who have already received one or two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

“They will address travel, they will address workplaces, they will address houses of worship,” Fauci said of the upcoming recommendations. “You’re gonna see that coming out pretty quickly.”

“You’re gonna see that very soon,” he added.

Dr. Fauci: More in a series of installments of CDC guidance for already-vaccinated people coming “very soon.” pic.twitter.com/jldAKugtfE

— Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) March 12, 2021

Fauci’s remarks come as some states have already begun lifting coronavirus restrictions amid a decline nationwide in cases, hospitalizations and deaths as well as an increase in vaccinations. Some states including Texas have moved in recent days to greatly increase the pace of public life, lifting all coronavirus restrictions including mask mandates and allowing full capacity dining.

However, Biden and Fauci have warned that lifting restrictions before enough people are vaccinated could reverse progress after the U.S. has made it out of what the president has referred to as a “dark winter.”

According to the CDC’s website, more than 90 million people in the U.S. have received vaccines. 

During his first prime-time address on Thursday night, Biden touted the administration’s efforts to ramp up vaccine distribution, including a call for the country to make all adults eligible for a vaccine by May 1. 

The president also alluded to the forthcoming guidance from the CDC for vaccinated Americans. 

“In the coming weeks, we will issue further guidance on what you can and cannot do once fully vaccinated to lessen the confusion, to keep people safe, and encourage more people to get vaccinated,” he said. 

Biden said that if people remain vigilant and get vaccinated, Americans will be able to gather in small groups by July 4. 

“That doesn’t mean large events with lots of people together, but it does mean small groups will be able to get together,” he continued.