Important update: Healthcare facilities

CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more

Find the latest information:
Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
COVID-19 Homepage

UPDATE

Given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, CDC has updated the guidance for fully vaccinated people. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place.

UPDATE

The White House announced that vaccines will be required for international travelers coming into the United States, with an effective date of November 8, 2021. For purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines. More information is available here.

Getting Your COVID-19 Vaccine

Updated Sept. 29, 2023

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Get An Updated COVID-19 Vaccine

Find COVID-19 Vaccines Near You

To find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you: Search vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829, or call 1-800-232-0233.

Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or community health center, or visit their website.
Contact your state health department.
Check your local pharmacy’s website to see if vaccination appointments are available. Some pharmacies may offer vaccines to those who walk-in without making an appointment ahead of time.

Contact your healthcare provider or your state or local health department for information about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
In many states, you may also dial 211 to connect to essential community services.
Contact groups that are advocates for people who are homebound or that provide home health services.
- Call The Aging Network at 1-800-677-1116.
- Search for services by ZIP code with the Eldercare Locator.
- Contact the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) at 1-888-677-1199.
- Call the hotline for Medicare recipients at 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048).

Schedule Your Vaccination Appointment

Most vaccination providers schedule appointments online.

Visit a vaccine provider’s online scheduling services to schedule your COVID-19 vaccination appointment.

Contact the vaccination provider directly to verify, reschedule, or cancel or with any questions about your appointment. CDC cannot schedule, verify, reschedule, or cancel a vaccination appointment.

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after having COVID-19

You should get an updated COVID-19 vaccine even if you already had COVID-19.

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from COVID-19 infection provides added protection against the virus that causes COVID-19.
People who already had COVID-19 and do not get vaccinated after their recovery are more likely to get COVID-19 again than those who get vaccinated after their recovery.

If you recently had COVID-19, you still need to stay up to date with your vaccines, but you may consider delaying your vaccine dose by 3 months.

If you have COVID-19

People who have COVID-19 should wait to get vaccinated until after your complete your isolation period to avoid potentially exposing healthcare personnel and others during the vaccination visit.

If you have multisystem inflammatory syndrome

Children and adults who have (or have recently had) multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) should wait to get vaccinated until:

Recovering from being sick and
It has been 90 days since the date of diagnosis of MIS-A or MIS-C.
Talk to your doctor if you have questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Children and adults who have (or have recently had) multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) should wait to get vaccinated until:

Recovering from being sick and
It has been 90 days since the date of diagnosis of MIS-A or MIS-C.
Talk to your doctor if you have questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Talk to your doctor if you have questions about getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Before Your Vaccination Appointment

Get a COVID-19 vaccine with your routine medical procedures and screenings

You can combine most procedures, screenings, and vaccinations at the same appointment when you get your COVID-19 vaccination. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions.

Children, teens, and adults may get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, including a flu vaccine, at the same time.

Preparing children and teens for vaccination

The experience of getting a COVID-19 vaccine will be very similar to that of getting routine vaccines. Learn how you can support your child and talk to them before they get a vaccine about what to expect.

Requesting accommodations at COVID-19 vaccination sites

When making an appointment or arriving for vaccination, you can let staff and/or volunteers know you or your child might need some accommodations.
People with disabilities can use the COVID-19 Vaccine Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) to get help with COVID-19 vaccinations.

If you have allergies related to vaccines

Talk to your doctor to learn if you should get a different type of COVID-19 vaccine if you:

have had a severe allergic reactionto a previous COVID-19 vaccine dose.
are allergic to an ingredient in a COVID-19 vaccine.
had an immediate allergic reaction (a reaction that started within 4 hours of getting vaccinated) to a COVID-19 vaccine, but the reaction was not considered severe by a medical professional.

During The Vaccination Appointment

You should receive a paper or electronic factsheet. The factsheet tells you more about the COVID-19 vaccine you or your child received. Each approved and authorized COVID-19 vaccine has its own fact sheet that contains information to help you understand the risks and benefits of that vaccine.
Paying for COVID-19 vaccines
- Most people can get no-cost updated COVID-19 vaccines through their private health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid plans.
- Adults without health insurance and adults whose insurance does not cover all vaccine costs can get no-cost updated COVID-19 vaccine at healthcare providers, federally supported health centers, and select pharmacy locations participating in CDC’s Bridge Access Program.
- CDC’s Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides vaccines at no cost to eligible children through health care providers enrolled in the program.

After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

closeup of black woman's arm with bandaid

Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

Side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine can vary from person to person. Some people experience a little discomfort and can continue to go about their day. Others have side effects that affect their ability to do daily activities. Side effects generally go away in a few days and tend to be mild and temporary, like those experienced after routine vaccinations. Even if you don’t experience any side effects, your body is building protection against the virus that causes COVID-19.

Relieve Common Side Effects

It is not recommended to take pain relievers or medicines, such as ibuprofen, aspirin (only for people ages 18 years or older), or acetaminophen before vaccination to try to prevent side effects.
Talk to your doctor about taking over-the-counter pain relievers after your vaccine.
If possible, get some rest.
To relieve pain or swelling on the arm where you got the shot:
- Apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area.
- Use or keep moving your arm.
To reduce discomfort from fever:
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Dress in comfortable clothes.

Talk to your child’s healthcare provider about giving your child a non-aspirin pain reliever and learn about other steps you can take at home to comfort your child after vaccination.

6 MONTHS–3 YEARS

Common side effects can include:

Pain on the leg or arm where the shot was given
Irritability or crying
Sleepiness
Loss of appetite
Fever
In addition, swollen lymph nodes may occur

4–17 YEARS

Side effects are more common after additional doses, and can include:

Pain, swelling, and redness on the arm where the shot was given
Tiredness
Headache
Muscle or joint pain
Chills
Fever
In addition, swollen lymph nodes may occur

Common side effects can include:

Pain, swelling, and redness on the arm where the shot was given.
Tiredness, headache, muscle pain
Chills
Nausea
Fever

Call a doctor or healthcare provider about a side effect if:

Redness or tenderness where the shot was given gets worse after 24 hours
Side effects are worrying or do not seem to be going away after a few days
After leaving a vaccination provider site, if you think you or your child might be having a severe allergic reaction, seek immediate medical care by calling 911.

Adverse events (serious health problems) after COVID-19 vaccination are rare

Adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination are rare, but can cause long-term health problems. They usually happen within six weeks of getting a vaccine. Learn more about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

Side effects and adverse events can be reported in Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

For Healthcare Workers

Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States: Interim Clinical Considerations