Prepare for Your COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment

What to expect for your first dose (Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson)

Check in for your appointment when you arrive. One of our associates will ask you a series of questions and provide you a vaccination record card. Your card will include your name, date of birth, the date, location and type of vaccine you will be getting (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson).

If you receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, you will be scheduled for your second-dose appointment before you leave.

What to expect for your second dose (Pfizer and Moderna only)

Check in for your appointment when you arrive. One of our associates will ask you for your vaccination record card or a photo of it. If you lost your card or don't have a photo, we can look up your record in the system. After you check in, your second-dose appointment will follow the same steps as your first-dose appointment.

You may experience more side effects after your second dose than you did with your first dose, but not everyone does. Mild side effects are common signs that your immune system is strengthing its response to the virus. They usually go away within a day or two. Drinking plenty of water, getting a good night's rest and eating a balanced meal before your appointment may help lessen possible side effects.

It takes up to two weeks after your second dose to achieve maximum immunity. 

What to expect from your booster

Bring proof of initial vaccination to your visit. One of our associates will ask you for your vaccination record card or a photo of it. After you check in, your booster appointment will follow the same steps as your primary vaccine appointments.

You may experience mild side effects. Like the second dose, side effects are a sign that your immune system is strengthening its response to the virus. They usually go away within a day or two.

Reschedule if you don't feel well

Monitor how you’re feeling leading up to the day of your appointment. Please reschedule your appointment if you:

• Are feeling sick the day of your vaccination.
• Have COVID-19 or were exposed to COVID-19 and are in quarantine.

Potential side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine

Mild side effects from vaccines are common. It’s a sign that your immune system is strengthening its response to the virus. We will observe you for 15-30 minutes after your first and second doses, but it’s important that you continue watching for side effects after you leave.

You may experience:

• Fatigue
• Mild body aches or joint pain
• Body chills
• A low-grade fever
• Headache
• Nausea
• Slight muscle pain, redness or swelling in the arm where the vaccine was given
• Swollen lymph nodes*

Side effects appear to be more common after the second dose of the vaccine, but usually subside within a day or two. Drinking plenty of water, getting a good night's rest and eating a balanced meal before your appointment may help lessen possible side effects. Exercising the arm where you received your vaccine can also help relieve discomfort. 

Call your primary care provider or seek urgent care if you have side effects. Your provider may also recommend taking acetaminophen or ibuprofen. If your symptoms become severe, go to the emergency department or call 911.

*Swollen lymph nodes under the arm are a known side effect of COVID-19 vaccination that can be misidentified as breast cancer during screening exams. Consider scheduling your mammogram before your first dose of the vaccine or six weeks after your final dose. Breast screening is one of the best ways to detect cancer early, so don’t delay an exam if a new breast lump or symptoms appear, such as nipple discharge, skin changes or palpable adenopathy (abnormally large lymph nodes).

Get set up with v-safe

You should receive information about v-safe during your appointment. V-safe is a free app that allows you to notify the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention if you have side effects. It can also send you second-dose reminders!