COVID-19 vaccines

Some people may experience minor side effects, such as soreness at the injection site, fatigue, or headache. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are concerned about your side effects or to ask about ways to treat them.

With most COVID-19 vaccines, you will need a second shot to get the full protective benefit. Talk to your vaccine provider about how and when to schedule the second appointment. Be sure to get the second shot even if you have side effects after the first one, unless a vaccination provider or your doctor tells you not to get a second shot.

It takes time for your body to build protection after any vaccination. COVID-19 vaccines that require two shots may not fully protect you until a week or two after your second shot.

Even after you’ve had both shots and have built up immunity, you should still practice safety measures such as wearing a mask and social distancing from those outside of your household. If you are exposed to the virus, you may not have symptoms, but could carry the virus.

Consider downloading v-safe, a free, smartphone-based tool from the CDC that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. V-safe also reminds you to get your second dose if you need one.