COVID-19 vaccines are one of many important tools to help us stop this pandemic. COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. The safety of the COVID-19 vaccine is a top priority. Common side effects include pain or swelling on the arm where you got the shot. You may also experience fever, chills, tiredness, or headache.
If your side effects are worrying you or do not seem to be going away after a few days, contact your healthcare provider. If you get a COVID-19 vaccine and you think you might be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, seek immediate medical care by calling 911.
It is recommended that you receive your second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at the same provider who administered your first dose. It is important to keep your vaccination card your provider will give you, so that you may access the manufacturer information, especially if you aren’t able to return to the same provider for your second dose. The two current vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) are NOT interchangeable.