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. In fact, the CDC is now recommending that people who got the single-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine get a booster shot at least two months after receiving their first dose. 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 give you the vaccine’s full protective benefit until two weeks or so after your second shot.
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.
