COVID-19 Vaccine: Know What to Expect
Know the vaccine appointment basics
- The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and free for all. An ID or insurance is not required to get vaccinated.
- Vaccination sites may require vaccine recipients under the age of 18 to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. They may accept written or verbal consent to administer the COVID-19 vaccine from the minor’s legal parent or guardian who cannot be present at the time of vaccination.
- In most situations, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax COVID-19 vaccines are recommended over Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine.
- You will get a COVID-19 vaccination card at your first vaccination visit. Keep your card in a safe place and bring it to your next COVID-19 vaccine appointment. You can also access your vaccination record online if you lose your card.
- Plan for your next COVID-19 vaccine. You will need more than one dose of the vaccine for the best protection.
- Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines by getting all doses in your primary vaccine series and any recommended booster doses when eligible. For most people, a primary COVID-19 vaccine series includes one dose of Johnson & Johnson or two doses of Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax.
- People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised have specific COVID-19 vaccine primary series and booster recommendations.
Tips for your vaccination appointment
- Wear a face mask.
- Wear short sleeves.
- Arrive on time.
- Bring your ID if you would like, but you cannot be turned away if you don’t have one.
- If you have insurance, provide your insurance information. No charges will be transferred to you. If you do not have insurance, do not worry. Insurance is not required.
- Maintain 6 feet of distance between you, other patients, and staff when possible.
- If it is your second appointment, bring your vaccination record card.
Know what to expect
Here’s how you can stay safe and comfortable throughout the vaccination process.
Before getting vaccinated
- Continue to wear a mask in public indoor spaces, physically distance, and wash or sanitize your hands frequently.
- If you don't feel well, have COVID-19, or were recently exposed to COVID-19, reschedule your appointment until you feel better and are out of isolation. You may consider waiting three months after you tested positive or started feeling sick to get your next COVID-19 vaccine dose.
- Drinking plenty of water, getting a good night's rest, and eating a balanced meal before your appointment may help lessen possible side effects.
- Taking a child to get their COVID-19 vaccine? Review tips on how to be there for your child during vaccinations, P-03126. (PDF)
After vaccination
Immediately after your first dose, you will be observed for at least 15 minutes. If you experience any immediate reactions, make sure to report them to medical staff right away.
You will also get a COVID-19 vaccination card. Save your card. It has information on when and where you received your vaccine as well as other helpful information related to the COVID-19 vaccine. You can also access your COVID-19 vaccination record online if you need to show proof of vaccination but don't have your card.
Shortly after your first dose, you may experience mild side effects such as:
- Fever
- Chills
- Tiredness
- Headaches
- Pain or swelling on your arm where you got the vaccine
These are common signs that your immune system is strengthening its response to the virus. They usually go away within a day or two. Even if you experience side effects from the first dose, it is very important that you get your second dose (if you received a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine), so you have full protection.
Discomfort from fever or pain is normal. However, contact a health care provider if redness or tenderness of the arm where you got the vaccine increases after 24 hours or your side effects worry you or last longer than a few days. If you are having a medical emergency, call 911.
Next steps
Like many vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines need more than one dose to keep you protected against the virus. Stay up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines by getting all doses in your primary vaccine series and any recommended booster doses when eligible. Being up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines ensures you have the best protection possible against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
Follow this checklist after you receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Get v-safe, the new smartphone-based tool for personalized health check-ins, easy reporting of side effects, and a reminder to get your second dose.
Before you leave the vaccination location, make sure you know when and where to come back for your next dose, and put a reminder in your calendar.
- If you got a vaccine that requires two doses (like Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax), you will need to return for your second dose to get protection. People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised have specific COVID-19 vaccine primary series and booster recommendations.
- Most people 5 years and older should get a booster dose.
You will need to get a second dose to get the best protection from mRNA vaccines (like Pfizer and Moderna). The timing between your first and second shots depends on your age and which vaccine you received. See the specific timing in between doses.
While it is important to get your next dose on schedule, it is okay if you can’t get it as soon as possible or need to reschedule your appointment. Let your vaccine provider know you need to reschedule your appointment or will not be able to get it on time and schedule your second dose as soon as you can.
Even if you experience common side effects from the first dose, like a headache, fever, or sore arm, it is important that you get your second dose. Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax COVID-19 vaccines require two doses to provide full protection against COVID-19. Get text message reminders to get your second dose through v-safe. Sign up on vsafe.cdc.gov.
There may be situations where you need to share your COVID-19 vaccination record with others, such as your employer or school. Learn how to locate your vaccination record for personal use or to provide proof of your COVID-19 vaccination.
More resources on your vaccine appointment
Download helpful resources and educational materials on preparing for a COVID-19 vaccination.
- Next Steps: After You Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine, P-02879
- How Our Bodies Respond to the COVID-19 Vaccine, P-02941
Staying up to date with your vaccines
Being up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines ensures you have the best protection possible against severe illness, hospitalization, and death. Learn what it means to be up to date on your vaccines, including what you can and should do afterwards.
