Vaccine: COVID-19

COVID-19

Information for:

Contact Info
Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division
651-201-5414
IDEPC Comment Form

Contact Info

Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division
651-201-5414
IDEPC Comment Form

About COVID-19 Vaccine

On this page:
Who should get vaccinated
Vaccine doses
Getting vaccinated
After getting the vaccine
How a vaccine helps
More information

Every Minnesotan age 6 months of age and older can get vaccinated. All Minnesotans 6 months and older should get an updated (bivalent) booster vaccine, when eligible.

  • Find Vaccine Locations at clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies near you.
  • Minnesota offers free vaccination through the COVID-19 Community Vaccination Program where you can make an appointment or walk in. Insurance and identification are not needed.
  • In-home COVID-19 vaccination is available upon request for those who may have difficulties going to a clinic or other vaccine location. Learn more about eligibility for an in-home vaccine and how to request an appointment at In-Home Vaccination Program.

There have been four COVID-19 vaccines licensed (approved) for use or authorized for use under an emergency use authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended for use by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These are the Pfizer vaccine, Moderna vaccine, Novavax vaccine, and Johnson & Johnson vaccine. For more on how vaccines are approved or authorized, made, and tested visit Available COVID-19 Vaccines and Safety.

Who should get vaccinated

Vaccination is recommended for all people 6 months of age and older. This includes people with underlying medical conditions; people who have had COVID-19, are pregnant, or are immunocompromised; and those of different ages, races, and ethnicities.

People who have had a life-threatening reaction to a previous dose of COVID-19 vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine should not get that vaccine. They may want to talk to an allergy specialist.

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If you have had COVID-19

You should get vaccinated even if you already had COVID-19. People may have some protection after being infected with COVID-19, but that protection decreases quickly. Protection from vaccination lasts longer.

For any dose of vaccine, including booster doses, people 6 months of age and older can get vaccinated after you have completed your isolation period and are feeling better. Refer to If You Are Sick or Test Positive for more information. If your illness caused you to be hospitalized, talk to your health care provider about timing of vaccination.

If you have had recent close contact or mild illness

Consider these things before getting any dose of vaccine, including a booster dose:

  • If you or your child have been identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19, you can get vaccinated as long as you do not have symptoms of COVID-19. However, you may consider waiting until your period to wear a mask is over to help make sure that any side effects experienced after vaccination are just from the vaccine, and not COVID-19 symptoms Visit Close Contact or Exposure to COVID-19 for more information.
  • If you or your child has a mild illness (e.g., sore throat, stuffy nose, etc.), get tested for COVID-19 and wait until symptoms have improved and until you or your child have been fever-free for 24 hours, without using medicine that lowers fevers, before getting vaccinated.
Children and teens

Children age 6 months and older are recommended to get vaccinated and should get an updated (bivalent) booster, when eligible, to give more protection against the variants of COVID-19 that are currently spreading. The vaccine that your child gets and how many doses they need depends on their age on the day they are vaccinated. Refer to Vaccine doses for more information.

Data from Pfizer and Moderna vaccine studies show the vaccines are safe and effective for children and teens.

Children can get very sick from COVID-19—even children who do not have underlying health conditions. The available COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be very good at helping to protect children from severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. Getting your child vaccinated helps protect them, your family, and your community. Talk to your health care provider about which vaccine your child should get and to ask any questions you might have.

Parents can find vaccine locations and more information about the COVID-19 vaccine for their children at State of Minnesota: COVID-19 Vaccine for Children and Teens.

Parental or guardian consent is required for COVID-19 vaccination of children younger than 17 years of age, except under rare or special circumstances. (Refer to Minnesota Statutes, sections 144.341 through 144.347.) We encourage you to go with your child so you can ask questions and learn more about the vaccine.

  • NOTE: For state-run vaccine clinics, children age 15 and under must have a parent or guardian with them.

Find additional resources and information at CDC: COVID-19 Vaccines for Children and Teens.

Because children and youth with specialized health needs and disabilities may be at higher risk for more severe illness from COVID-19, families and caregivers are asked to strongly consider vaccinating children who have any underlying health condition or disability if they are 6 months of age or older.

Learn more at Disabilities and Unique Health Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Pregnant or breastfeeding people

COVID-19 vaccination, including a booster shot when due, is strongly recommended for people who are pregnant, recently pregnant, breastfeeding, and considering pregnancy in the future.

  • Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get very sick with COVID-19 disease compared with non-pregnant people. The data show the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can protect a pregnant person and their growing baby from severe illness from COVID-19.
  • A person who is breastfeeding can get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are not thought to be a risk to the breastfeeding infant. There is no reason to avoid starting or continuing breastfeeding after getting vaccinated.
  • There is no evidence that any of the COVID-19 vaccines affect future fertility. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who want to get pregnant someday or are currently trying to get pregnant.

Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 Vaccines and Pregnancy (PDF)
Fact sheet for people who are pregnant or who may want to get pregnant in the future.
Updated 7/26/22

Other languages: COVID-19 Vaccines and Pregnancy

Learn more at CDC: COVID-19 Vaccines While Pregnant or Breastfeeding.

Immunocompromised people

Immunocompromised means a person has a weak immune system. People with advanced or untreated HIV infection, other immunocompromising conditions, or who take medications or therapies that weaken the immune system might be at increased risk for severe COVID-19.

The vaccine may not work as well in immunocompromised people because they may not have a strong immune response to the vaccine (they may have less protection). Because of this, CDC recommends that people with certain immunocompromising conditions receive an additional dose of vaccine as part of their primary vaccination series. An additional primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine for this group is different than a booster dose. People who get an additional primary dose are recommended to get booster shots as well. More information is in the “Vaccine doses” section below.

People should talk to their health care provider about their medical condition and what vaccine doses they need.

CDC: COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People

Vaccine doses

Staying up to date

Vaccine recommendations and the number of doses you are recommended to get are different depending on your age, the vaccine you first received, and whether you have certain health conditions that weaken your immune system.

You may hear different phrases used to describe vaccine doses or someone's vaccination status. Here's what some of those phrases mean.

  • Primary vaccine series: The primary vaccine series refers to the initial number of doses of a particular vaccine that a person needs. It does not include booster shots.
  • Updated or bivalent booster: A booster shot that protects against both the original virus that causes COVID-19 and gives more protection against the Omicron variants (BA.4 and BA.5) that are currently causing most of the cases of COVID-19.
  • Up to date: You are up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines when you have received all doses in the primary series and received the most recent booster dose recommended for you, when eligible.

To have the best protection against COVID-19, you should make sure you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. For more information, visit CDC: Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters.

There are recommendations for people with certain immunocompromising conditions (a weak immune system) to receive an additional dose as part of their primary series. For more information, visit CDC: COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People.

Your health care provider can provide information on which vaccine you are getting and how many doses you will need.

Available vaccines

There are several COVID-19 vaccines available. The vaccines that you can get depends on your age. Children should get the vaccine that is recommended for them on the day they get the vaccine. If they move into a different age group during their series, they should get the vaccine recommended for that older age group for all following doses. Refer to CDC: Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters.

Adults age 18 and older

  • Adults age 18 and older should get two doses of either the Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax vaccine. You should get the same type of vaccine for both doses. This is the primary vaccine series*.
    • The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is also available and is a one-dose vaccine. However, it is only recommended in limited situations. Talk to your health care provider about the potential risks of this vaccine.
  • The two doses of vaccine should be separated by three to eight weeks** depending on which vaccine you get. Your provider will let you know what timing is recommended for you and can help you schedule your second shot while getting your first.
  • Adults are also recommended to a get booster shot at least 2 months after their primary series or last booster. It can be either the updated (bivalent) Pfizer or Moderna booster vaccine.
  • In limited situations, there is an option for adults age 18 and older to get the Novavax monovalent booster if they cannot or will not get a bivalent booster, have completed their primary series, and have not received a previous booster(s).
  • Refer to who should get a booster shot below for more information.

Children and teens age 12 through 17 years

  • Children and teens age 12 through 17 years should get two doses of the Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax vaccine. You should get the same type of vaccine for both doses. This is the primary vaccine series*.
    • The two doses of vaccine should be separated by three to eight weeks** depending on which vaccine your child gets. Your provider will let you know what timing is recommended for your child and can help you schedule your second shot while getting your first.
  • Children 12 through 17 years should get an updated (bivalent) booster shot. Refer to who should get a booster shot below for more information.

Children age 5 through 11 years

  • Children age 5 through 11 years should get two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine for their age group. You should get the same type of vaccine for both doses. This is the primary vaccine series*.
  • The two doses of vaccine should be separated by three to eight weeks** depending on which vaccine your child gets. Your provider will let you know what timing is recommended for your child and can help you schedule your second shot while getting your first.
  • Children 5 through 11 years old should get an updated (bivalent) booster shot at least two months after they have completed their primary vaccine series. Refer to who should get a booster shot below for more information.
  • The vaccines for this age group are a smaller dose than the vaccines for older children and adults.

Children age 6 months through 4 years

  • Children age 6 months through 4 years should get three doses of the Pfizer vaccine for 6 month through 4 year-olds or two doses of the Moderna vaccine for 6 month through 5 year-olds. Children should get the same type of vaccine for all doses of their primary vaccine series.
    • The Pfizer primary vaccine series is three doses. The second dose is given three to eight weeks** after the first dose and the third dose is given at least eight weeks after the second dose.
    • Children ages 6 months through 4 years who are currently completing a Pfizer primary series will receive a Pfizer bivalent vaccine as their primary dose.
    • Children ages 6 months through 4 years who previously completed a three-dose original (monovalent) Pfizer primary series should receive a Pfizer updated (bivalent) vaccine at least two months after completion of the monovalent primary series.
    • The Moderna primary vaccine series is two doses. The second dose is given four to eight weeks** after the first dose.
    • Children ages 6 months through 4 years who previously completed a Moderna primary series are eligible to receive a Moderna bivalent booster two months after their final primary series dose.
  • Your provider can help you schedule all recommended doses while getting your first.
  • The vaccines for this age group are a smaller dose than the vaccines for older children and adults.

*CDC recommends that people with certain immunocompromising conditions (a weak immune system) get an additional dose of an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) as part of their primary vaccine series. Talk to your health care provider or go to CDC: COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People for more information.

**Talk to your health care provider about the timing between doses in your primary series. New research suggests that people age 6 months through 64 years, particularly males age 12 to 39 years, may benefit from getting their second dose eight weeks after the first dose. A longer time between the first and second doses may increase the effectiveness of these vaccines, and minimize the small risk of heart problems, including myocarditis and pericarditis. Some people should still get their second doses at three or four weeks, such as people younger than 5 years or older than 65 years, people at higher risk of severe disease, and anyone needing to develop protection quickly because of high levels of COVID-19 in their community.

For more information on how these vaccines are approved or authorized, made, and tested visit Available COVID-19 Vaccines and Safety.

Booster shots

COVID-19 vaccines continue to work very well at reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death, but data suggest that protection against COVID-19 infection becomes less over time. A booster shot is given when protection from the original vaccination begins to decrease. This additional dose of vaccine can help get protection back up to a higher level. The updated (bivalent) boosters also help protect against newer versions (variants) of the COVID-19 virus that are currently spreading. For more information on the bivalent booster visit Why You Should Get an Updated (Bivalent) Booster (PDF).

People who have recently had COVID-19 can get vaccinated after you have completed your isolation period and are feeling better. People may consider waiting until 3 months to get vaccinated because they may have some protection after being infected with COVID-19, but that protection decreases quickly over time. Certain factors, such as personal risk of severe disease, local COVID-19 community level, and the most common COVID-19 variant currently causing illness, could be reasons to get a vaccine sooner rather than later. Refer to CDC: Stay Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines Including Boosters to find out when you are up to date based on CDC recommendations.

More information about booster shots

  • Many routine vaccines require booster shots to maintain protection. For example, people are due to get a tetanus shot every 10 years. That shot is a booster shot. It "boosts" your ability to fight the disease if you are exposed, because we know original protection from the vaccine decreases over time.
  • People who have received their primary vaccine series (e.g., two doses of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine) still have some protection even once protection starts to decrease. The booster shot helps get protection back up to a higher level.
  • People with certain immunocompromising conditions that received an additional dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine as part of their primary vaccine series will also need boosters.

Watch and share videos about what booster shots are and why they are necessary at Videos for COVID-19 Response: Booster shots.

Who should get a booster shot and what to get

Minnesotans age 6 months and older should get an updated (bivalent) booster shot. The timing of your booster shot depends on your age and the vaccine you received for your primary vaccine series and if you were recommended to get an additional dose as part of your primary series.

People with certain immunocompromising conditions are recommended to get an additional dose of vaccine as part of their primary series. They should get a booster dose as well. Talk to your health care provider and learn more at CDC: COVID-19 Vaccines for Moderately to Severely Immunocompromised People.

The vaccine that people 6 years and older get for their booster does not have to be the same vaccine that they received for their primary series. Children who are 5 years old can only get Pfizer for their booster. Children age 5 to 11 years old receive a smaller dose of vaccine in their booster shot than those 12 years and older. Talk to your health care provider about booster doses, and any questions about mixing and matching doses.

If you got the Pfizer vaccine (age 6 months+):

  • Children ages 6 months through 4 years who are currently completing a Pfizer primary series will receive a Pfizer updated (bivalent) vaccine as their third primary dose.
  • Children ages 6 months through 4 years who previously completed a three-dose original (monovalent) Pfizer primary series should receive a Pfizer updated (bivalent) vaccine at least two months after completion of the monovalent primary series.
  • People age 5 years and older should get an updated (bivalent) booster shot at least two months after their primary series of vaccine or last original (monovalent) booster shot.
  • Children who are 5 years old can only get the Pfizer booster.
  • People age 6 years and older can get either the Pfizer or Moderna booster*.

If you got the Moderna vaccine (age 6 months+):

  • Children ages 6 months through 4 years who previously completed a Moderna Primary series are eligible to receive a Moderna updated (bivalent) booster two months after their final primary series dose.
  • People age 5 years and older should get an updated (bivalent) booster shot at least two months after their primary series of vaccine or last original (monovalent) booster shot.
  • People age 5 years and older can get either the Pfizer or Moderna booster*.

If you got the Novavax vaccine (age 12+):

  • People age 12 years and older should get an updated (bivalent) booster shot at least two months after their primary series of vaccine.
  • The booster can be Pfizer or Moderna*.

If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine:

  • People age 18 and older should get an updated (bivalent) booster shot at least two months after their single dose or last original (monovalent) booster.
  • The booster can be Pfizer or Moderna*.

*A monovalent Novavax booster dose (instead of a bivalent booster dose) may be used in limited situations in people ages 18 years and older who completed a primary series, have not received any previous booster dose(s), and are unable to receive an mRNA vaccine (i.e., mRNA vaccine contraindicated or not available) or are unwilling to receive an mRNA vaccine and would otherwise not receive a booster dose. The booster would be given at least 6 months after the primary series. Talk to your health care provider for more information.

Getting vaccinated

What to bring when you get vaccinated
  • A mask. Some vaccination locations may require use of a face covering for all visitors, regardless of vaccination status.
  • Your health insurance information if you have it. If you do not have health insurance, that is OK. You do not need health insurance to get the vaccine.
  • Legal ID if you have one and feel comfortable sharing it. You do not need a legal ID to get the vaccine.
  • Your vaccination card if you are getting a second dose, an additional dose of mRNA vaccine for people with certain immunocompromising conditions, or a booster dose.
Record of vaccination (e.g., vaccination card)

You should receive a card when you get your first COVID-19 vaccine that has the vaccine product you got and the date you were vaccinated.

  • The vaccine card is for your own record.
    • The State of Minnesota does not require proof of vaccination for events such as traveling, concerts, or other activities. Private businesses may ask for proof of vaccination, but what forms are accepted may vary, so check with the venue or company about what is accepted before you go.
  • Hold on to your vaccine card. When you get a second dose, additional dose, or booster shot, bring the card with you to your appointment so that all doses can be recorded on the same card.
    • Keep your card in a safe place with your other records.
    • Take a picture of your card on your phone.
    • Do not laminate your card because additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine may be recommended, and it is simpler to keep all the doses on one card.

If you lose your card:

  • It is OK if you lose your card. If you lose it between shots, ask for a new one when you get another dose and ask them to record your previous dose(s) on it.
    • Please note, the MDH does not have replacement cards and cannot combine two cards.
  • You can request a copy of your immunization record, which includes similar information to the vaccine card, by using the Docket app or submitting a request to MDH. For information on how you can get your record, go to Find My Immunization Record.
    • If you need assistance in another language or are unable to complete an online request, please call the MIIC Record Request line at 651-201-3980.
  • Your health care provider can also look up your vaccination record to help determine when you should receive any additional doses.

Lost Your Vaccine Card? (PDF)
Fact sheet with steps you can take if you lose your vaccine card.
Updated 7/18/21

Other languages: Lost Your Vaccine Card?

Travelers should refer to CDC: U.S. Citizens. U.S. Nationals, U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents, and Immigrants: Air Travel to and from the United States for more information.

Pain medication

It is not recommended to take over-the-counter medications before getting your vaccine to prevent side effects. Taking over-the-counter medicines after getting the shot is OK if you have side effects. Take what you normally would take in that situation.

If you take over-the-counter medications for a different condition/pain management, it is OK to take them on your regular schedule even when you are getting the vaccine.

Information collected

When you get your COVID-19 vaccine, you will be asked to share your full name, date of birth, address, phone number, and gender. You do not have to be a resident of Minnesota to get vaccinated here. You will never be asked about your immigration status when getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Getting vaccinated will not impact your eligibility to gain lawful permanent residence status (green card). You will not be identified as a public charge.

The person who gives you the vaccine is required to enter vaccine data into Minnesota's immunization information system, the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC). MIIC keeps track of someone's vaccination history and makes sure they get the right vaccinations at the right time. Find more information at About MIIC. MIIC collects name, date of birth, address, phone number, and various information related the vaccination itself (administration date, vaccine type, lot number, etc.). MDH shares de-identified vaccine data (general information that does not include the person's name) with the federal government (CDC) every day. This means that the data could not be traced back to a specific person. MDH does not share any information with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Other vaccines

COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time as other vaccines (like flu vaccine). You can also receive a COVID-19 vaccine if you recently received another vaccine.

Cost/insurance

All COVID-19 vaccines are free. However, health care providers can charge an administration fee to insurance companies for giving the vaccine to someone. This means that you might be asked for your insurance information when you get the COVID-19 vaccine. If you have insurance, you should provide that information when you get your vaccine. The administration fee helps cover costs of staffing, space, printing, extra supplies, and more. You can still get the COVID-19 vaccine if you do not have insurance. No one should receive a bill for the vaccine or administration fee. If you get a bill, call the place where you got your vaccine or your health insurance company.

Scams

MDH and health care providers are doing some outreach to contact Minnesotans who have not been vaccinated, but they will never ask for your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number in order to get the COVID-19 vaccine. For more information, refer to COVID-19 Messages from the State of Minnesota.

For more information, refer to Federal Trade Commission: FTC Issues Consumer Tips for Avoiding COVID-19 Vaccine Scams.

After getting the vaccine

Immunity after vaccination

It takes about two weeks for your body to build up initial protection after your primary vaccine series. Some people who are vaccinated will get sick, but vaccination greatly reduces the chance of hospitalization and death.

Even when you are vaccinated, you should:

  • Wear a mask when recommended. For more information, refer to Masks: COVID-19.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Stay home if you are sick, especially if you have been around someone who has COVID-19. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested. Learn more at CDC: Symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Do not visit people who have had close contact to someone with COVID-19 and are in quarantine.
  • If you travel, follow CDC requirements and recommendations at Travel During COVID-19.
  • Follow guidance specific to your workplace.
Vaccine side effects

Some side effects are common after vaccination. They are a result of your body responding to the vaccine (it's also OK if you don't have any side effects at all). Side effects happen within a day or two of vaccination and go away one to two days later. You may have:

  • Pain where you received the vaccine
  • Feeling tired
  • Headache
  • Achy muscles and joints
  • Chills
  • Fever
  • Swelling in your armpit

If your symptoms don't go away or get worse, you may have been exposed to COVID-19 before your body had time to build the protection from the vaccine. Get tested if you think you may have COVID-19.

Serious adverse events

A serious adverse event is something that results in hospitalization or is life-threatening. Most adverse effects occur in the six weeks after getting a vaccine.

If you have a severe reaction, contact your health care provider. If it is an emergency, go to a hospital or call 911.

There have been reports of some serious allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, most occurring 15-30 minutes following vaccination. Allergic reactions like this are known to happen after taking medicines or getting vaccinated, but they are still very rare. Clinics are prepared to respond quickly to adverse reactions. You may be asked to wait 15-30 minutes after you have been vaccinated so that clinic staff can observe you.

Learn more at CDC: Selected Adverse Events Reported after COVID-19 Vaccination.

Myocarditis and pericarditis

Some people who have received the Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax COVID-19 vaccines have had rare cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart). In most cases, symptoms began within seven days after the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine. Most cases of myocarditis and pericarditis have been in young men. The chance of having this occur is very low and is higher in people with COVID-19 disease than after vaccination. Seek medical attention right away if you have any of the following symptoms after receiving COVID-19 vaccine:

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart

For more information, visit CDC: Myocarditis and Pericarditis Following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination.

Guillain-Barré syndrome

A few people who have received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 have experienced Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). GBS is a rare disorder where the body's immune system damages nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. Most people fully recover from GBS, but some have permanent nerve damage. The benefits of vaccination outweigh the slight risk of this side effect and the chance of having this occur is very rare.

Symptoms of GBS have mostly been reported about two weeks after someone gets vaccinated and mostly in men ages 50-64 years of age. CDC will continue to monitor for and evaluate reports of GBS happening after COVID-19 vaccination and will share more information as it becomes available.

Seek medical attention right away if you have any of the following symptoms after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine:

  • Weakness or tingling sensations, especially in the legs or arms, that's worsening and spreading to other parts of the body
  • Hard time walking
  • Hard time with moving your face, including speaking, chewing, or swallowing
  • Double vision or not being able to move eyes
  • Difficulty with bladder control or bowel function

Blood clotting issues (thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, TTS)

Some people who have received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine have developed blood clots involving blood vessels in the brain, abdomen, and legs along with low levels of platelets (blood cells that help your body stop bleeding). Most people who developed these blood clots and low levels of platelets were adult women younger than 50 years old. The chance of having this occur is very rare. For women 50 years and older and men of all ages, this adverse event is even more rare. For three weeks after receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, be on the lookout for these symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Leg swelling
  • Abdominal/stomach pain that doesn't go away
  • Severe headaches or headaches that won't go away
  • Blurred vision
  • Easy bruising or tiny blood spots under the skin beyond the site of the injection

If you have any of these symptoms after getting the vaccine, you should seek medical attention right away. Tell the health care provider that you recently received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine more than a month ago, you are unlikely to develop this condition.

People with a history of TTS following a COVID-19 vaccine should not get the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. These people should receive a single bivalent COVID-19 vaccine booster (Pfizer or Moderna) at least 2 months following their dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and after their clinical condition has stabilized. Learn more at Guidance for use of Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine (Appendix A).

Going to work or school when you have side effects

Side effects can happen after vaccination and can be similar to symptoms of illnesses, like COVID-19. These side effects can include pain, swelling, or redness where the shot was given. Less common side effects can include headache, fatigue, or fever.

  • If you are experiencing side effects where the shot was given (such as pain, swelling, or redness), but you are otherwise well, you can return to work or school. Typically, side effects start within a day of receiving the vaccine and may last for three days.
  • If you are experiencing other symptoms of illness like fever, headache, or noticeable tiredness, then you should stay home. These may or may not be due to the vaccine. With any of these symptoms, stay home until your symptoms are improved and you have not had a fever for 24 hours. If symptoms worsen or last longer than three days, stay home and call your health care provider. Because the virus that causes COVID-19 is still in our communities, it is possible that you were exposed to COVID-19 before or around the same time you were vaccinated, so it may be helpful to get tested.
Managing discomfort after vaccination

Pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen are effective in managing vaccine side effects including pain where the shot was given, body aches, and fever after you get vaccinated. Cool cloths may relieve the swelling or pain at the injection site. Move or exercise your arm. Take the medicine you usually take when you have pain or fever or follow the instructions of your health care provider.

Reporting vaccine side effects

If you have a severe reaction, contact your health care provider. If it is an emergency, go to a hospital or call 911. Providers should report severe reactions (those that require some type of medical care) to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). This reporting system helps the CDC and FDA continue to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.

V-safe

CDC has also launched a new patient reporting tool for COVID-19 vaccine. It is a smartphone app called v-safe. This app can help with active monitoring for COVID-19 vaccine safety after you get the COVID-19 vaccine. Your health care provider will give you more information on v-safe. You can learn more at V-safe After Vaccination Health Checker and access an information sheet and flyers in multiple languages at V-safe Print Resources.

Getting COVID-19 after being vaccinated

Vaccine breakthrough cases (where someone becomes sick with the disease after being up to date on vaccinations) are expected and normal. No vaccine works 100% of the time, but there is still a lot of value in getting vaccinated. We know these vaccines are safe and help keep people from ending up in the hospital or dying from COVID-19. If you do get sick, it is likely that your symptoms will be milder than if you didn't get vaccinated.

Based on available data, COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases remain uncommon. You can learn more about breakthrough data in Minnesota at COVID-19 Vaccine Breakthrough Weekly Update.

There are a few reasons we have started to see more vaccine breakthrough cases:

  • As more people are vaccinated while COVID-19 virus is still in our communities (especially when a lot of disease is circulating), more of the cases we identify will be in vaccinated people. The vaccine will never fully protect everyone from disease.
  • Things people choose to do may be more or less risky, such as going to large gatherings, hanging out in crowded settings, traveling, etc. It also depends on how much COVID-19 virus is currently circulating in a community and vaccination rates.

Vaccination continues to be the best tool in our prevention toolbox against COVID-19. People who are vaccinated will have a less severe illness and are much less likely to be hospitalized or die than people with similar risk factors who are not vaccinated. It is still important to continue to use other tools for best protection, such as masking, frequent handwashing, getting tested when needed, and keeping physical distance from others.

Most Minnesotans who are newly diagnosed with COVID-19 or admitted to the hospital are unvaccinated. With highly-contagious variants circulating in Minnesota, it has never been more important to get vaccinated.

People who have been vaccinated should make sure they still get tested if they have symptoms of COVID-19 disease.

What Are Vaccine Breakthrough Cases?

Other languages: What Are Vaccine Breakthrough Cases

How a vaccine helps

Why we need a vaccine

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself and your community. The more people who get vaccinated against COVID-19, the better it is for everyone. More people vaccinated means that there will be less disease in our communities. Vaccination will also help prevent the spread of new COVID-19 variants.

What about herd immunity

Herd immunity is also called herd effect, community immunity, population immunity, or social immunity. This is when most people in a population or group are immune to a disease. Being immune means they cannot get the disease because either they got a vaccine, or they already had the disease and cannot get it again, at least for a while.

When a lot of people are immune, it helps to protect other people in the population who are not immune. Having herd immunity can stop or slow the spread of disease because it is harder for the germ to find people who are susceptible to disease and make them sick.

We do not know enough about COVID-19 to be sure herd immunity is possible. This is a new disease, so there has not been enough time to fully study immunity yet. It is possible that even with most of the population vaccinated, COVID-19 will still be able to spread in the population but at a much lower level/rate.

People can become very sick, be hospitalized, and or even die from COVID-19. This is why we do not want to rely on herd immunity happening by causing illness in everyone. Vaccination lets a person's body develop protection against a disease without having to actually get sick and long COVID, hospitalization, or death.

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Last Updated: 03/27/2023