If you or your employees plan on being vaccinated and have become eligible to receive one of the available COVID-19 vaccines, this guide will help your team understand what to expect when vaccinated, what information your provider will give you, and the resources you can use to monitor your health following vaccination.
Before Getting Your Vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging individuals to research the following vaccines, how they work, the benefits of each one, and specific rollout timelines decided by state officials:
- Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine
- Moderna vaccine
- Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine
You should NOT receive a COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as other vaccines, including a flu shot. Wait at least 14 days between vaccinations. If you are currently taking medication, it is not recommended to avoid, discontinue, or delay medications for underlying medical conditions around the time you plan to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. If you have questions surrounding your medication and getting vaccinated, you should consult your healthcare provider.
During Your Vaccine Appointment
When you receive your vaccine, you and your vaccine administer will both need to wear masks that cover your nose and mouth. You should maintain 6 feet apart from others while inside and in lines, with your vaccine administer being the only exception.
During your appointment, you should be given a vaccination card that tells you what COVID-19 vaccine you are receiving, the date you received it and where your appointment took place. You should also get a paper or electronic version of a fact sheet that contains information to help you understand the risks and benefits about the specific vaccine you are being offered. If you’re receiving a vaccine that requires a second dose, make sure to schedule your next vaccine appointment prior to leaving.
After You Are Vaccinated
After your shot, you should be monitored on-site until you are cleared to leave the facility. In the meantime, you can ask your vaccination provider about getting set up with v-safe — a free, smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after your first dose. This platform also gives you the opportunity to voice any side effects you may be experiencing to the CDC.
Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks after the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
As vaccine guidelines and timelines continue to be updated, the CDC’s recommendations remain that community use of masks, social distancing, handwashing and using adequate ventilation systems can help avert future lockdowns.
Learn more about what to expect after receiving your COVID-19 vaccine here.