Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I have an underlying condition?

People with underlying medical conditions can receive a COVID-19 vaccine as long as they have not had an immediate or severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine or to any of the ingredients in the vaccine. Learn more about vaccination considerations for people with underlying medical conditions. Vaccination is an important consideration for adults of any age with certain underlying medical conditions because they are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe for people with underlying health conditions?

Clinical trials show that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in people with underlying medical conditions, including those that place them at increased risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms, compared to people without underlying medical conditions.

How many doses of COVID-19 vaccine will I need to get?

The number of doses needed depends on which vaccine you receive. To get the most protection:

• Two Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses should be given 3 weeks (21 days) apart.
• Two Moderna vaccine doses should be given 1 month (28 days) apart.
• Johnson & Johnsons Jansen (J&J/Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine requires only one dose.

If you receive a vaccine that requires two doses, you should get your second shot as close to the recommended interval as possible. However, your second dose may be given up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose, if necessary.. You should not get the second dose earlier than the recommended interval.

What is the recommended interval between doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines?

The recommended interval between doses is 21 days for Pfizer-BioNTech and 28 days for Moderna; however, up to 42 days between doses is permissible when a delay is unavoidable.

When are you fully vaccinated after the COVID-19 shot?

Booster shots are now available to specific groups of people. However, everyone is still considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-shot series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as the J&J/Janssen vaccine.

Are the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots the same as the first?

If you got Moderna or Pfizer for your first dose: Moderna's booster dose will be half of its original dosing, while Pfizer's booster shot is the same as the initial doses.

Why should you take two COVID-19 vaccines?

If you get COVID-19, you also risk giving it to loved ones who may get very sick.

People with moderately to severely compromised immune systems should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial 2 doses.

What is the interval between the first and second doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines?

* The recommended interval between the first and second dose is 21 days for Pfizer-BioNTech and 28 days for Moderna; in this study, second doses received 17–25 days (Pfizer-BioNTech) and 24–32 days (Moderna) after the first dose were included.

Are the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 booster shots the same as the first?

If you got Moderna or Pfizer for your first dose: Moderna's booster dose will be half of its original dosing, while Pfizer's booster shot is the same as the initial doses.

Is it safe to take a different COVID-19 booster shot?

The study found that boosting with a different vaccine is safe, and that boosters increased antibody levels no matter the combination.

Can I mix and match COVID-19 booster vaccines?

Boosters are now available for the three COVID-19 vaccines, made by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. And the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has given the green light for safely mixing and matching the shots.

When should you take the second COVID-19 vaccine?

The timing between your first and second shots depends on which vaccine you received. If you received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, you should get your second shot 3 weeks (or 21 days) after your first.

When should you take the second mRNA COVID-19 vaccine?

You should get your second shot as close to the recommended 3-week or 4-week interval as possible. However, your second dose may be given up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose, if necessary. You should not get the second dose early.

What are some of the serious side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

Rare serious adverse events have been reported after COVID-19 vaccination, including Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after Janssen COVID-19 vaccination and myocarditis after mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) COVID-19 vaccination.

Can you still get COVID-19 after booster vaccine?

COVID-19 is still a risk. Getting a booster shot doesn't guarantee you won't be infected with the coronavirus. But it can help your immune system build protection against severe disease or hospitalization -- including from the delta variant.

How long after Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine booster is it effective?

The authors explain: “In this study, we estimated effectiveness starting from day 7 after the third dose, which is similar to the period used to define full vaccination after the second dose. Our choice is supported by high concentrations of antibodies in individuals 7 days after administration of the third dose.”

Is it normal to have side effects after second COVID-19 vaccine?

Side effects after your second shot may be more intense than the ones you experienced after your first shot. These side effects are normal signs that your body is building protection and should go away within a few days.

Is the COVID-19 vaccine safe if you have heart problems?

Not only are the vaccines safe for people with a history of heart disease, they are essential. People with heart disease are at increased risk of severe complications from COVID-19.

Should you get the Covid vaccine if you have an autoimmune disease?

The American College of Rheumatology COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Guidance recommends that people with autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic disease (which includes lupus) get the vaccine unless they have an allergy to an ingredient in the vaccine.

Can immunocompromised people get the COVID-19 vaccine?

People with immunocompromising conditions or people who take immunosuppressive medications or therapies are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness. The currently FDA-approved or FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines are not live vaccines and therefore can be safely administered to immunocompromised people.