The first two COVID vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna each require two (2) doses of the COVID vaccine. Each dose must be of the same product, and will need to be separated by either 21 days or 28 days, depending on the vaccine. That means if you received your first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, your second dose must also be the Pfizer vaccine. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine, approved for use in the US on February 27, 2021, only requires one dose. Consult your healthcare professional if you have additional questions.

Getting a COVID vaccine will be similar to the process of getting any other type of vaccine. Patients should talk to their doctors about whether they have allergies and if they have ever experienced a reaction or specific side effects from a vaccine in the past. They should also inform their doctors whether they are currently ill, pregnant, or planning to become pregnant.

The injection itself usually only takes a few seconds and may feel like a slight pinch on the skin. Most people do not experience serious side effects from vaccines, and any side effects they do experience are usually mild. Chills, low-grade fever, headache, tiredness, and muscle and joint aches are the most common side effects of vaccines.

People who get a mRNA COVID vaccine will need another booster shot roughly 3-4 weeks after the first shot to stay protected from COVID-19, while the Johnson & Johnson vaccine only requires one shot. It is not yet known how long immunity to COVID-19 will last after receiving a COVID vaccine.

All vaccines come with potential risks and side effects. The most common side effects associated with vaccines are low-grade fever, malaise, and redness and pain at the injection site. More than 50% of people who received early COVID-19 vaccines reported experiencing mild short-term side effects including fever, headache, muscle aches, and reactions at the injection site.