Fact Check By: Graham Carlos, MD, American Thoracic Society (ATS)

Truthfulness:

Claim:

The claim that you don’t have to wear a mask after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine has been circulating on social media and told by conservative media pundits such as Tucker Carlson and Rep. Jim Jordan.

Claim Publisher and Date: Fox News on 2021-04-22

“The recommendations from the CDC are still pretty clear:  even after getting a COVID-19 vaccine, individuals should continue wearing a mask,” said Graham Carlos, MD, co-author of the American Thoracic Society’s fact sheet on COVID-19.

 

He added: “We are still learning how vaccines will affect the spread of COVID-19. Now that more people are getting vaccinated, particularly at-risk populations, the CDC recommendations may soon change. Until then, masking mandates should be in place. Anyone who claims that masking is irrelevant for vaccinated people are placing people at risk.”

 

Most health care workers are vaccinated and are still wearing masks in health care settings. For more information on choosing the right mask, visit the American Thoracic Society's resource page on face masks.