NCAA updates COVID-19 guidelines to include those infected as 'fully vaccinated'

The NCAA has updated its COVID-19 guidance for winter sports to consider as "fully vaccinated" individuals who have a documented infection in the past 90 days.

"This guidance was designed to align with the latest public health directives," NCAA chief medical officer Brian Hainline said Thursday. "Given how the pandemic continues to evolve, it's important that staff on member campuses continue to work with their local and state health officials on protocols most suitable for their locations."

The NCAA also considered fully vaccinated those:

• Within two months of having completed the primary series of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine (one dose).
• Within five months of having completed the primary series of the mRNA Pfizer vaccine, or within six months of having completed the primary series of the mRNA Moderna vaccine (two doses for both).
• Who have received a booster vaccine if they are beyond two months of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or beyond five or six months of the mRNA Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, respectively.

In addition, the NCAA suggests five days of quarantine after a positive test if there are no symptoms or "symptoms are resolving." The college sports group also suggests masking around others for five additional days, except during athletic activities following a negative test, according to ESPN.com. 

The new guidance for student-athletes and coaches follows the Center for Disease Control and Prevention saying in late December it recommends a shorter isolation periods, from 10 to five days.