Sonya Narla, DO
February 9, 2021, 1:15PM (PT)
Key takeaways:
- COVID-19 vaccine rollout varies widely from region to region, so being proactive and checking with your local health department is key.
- If you start with a particular vaccine, you need to get the second shot with the same vaccine.
- Taking ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with COVID-19 vaccine side effects is OK if you need it.
As COVID-19 vaccines roll out across the country, it seems like there is finally some good news in the battle against the pandemic. In these groundbreaking times, many people are anxious to complete the series of shots and have questions about the second vaccine, from scheduling time frames to expected side effects, and more. Read on for answers.
How will I know when it’s time for my second COVID-19 vaccine shot?
The ideal time frame between the first and second Pfizer vaccines is 21 days. For the Moderna vaccines, it’s 28 days.
It’s very important to check with your vaccine site or local health department about scheduling your second vaccine because different sites are handling scheduling differently. Some places are automatically scheduling patients for their second vaccine when they sign up for the first vaccine. Some places require you to schedule for yourself online. Other sites are giving patients a follow-up appointment when they get the first vaccine.
Being proactive will help ensure that you complete your vaccine series.
Am I protected from COVID-19 immediately after getting the second shot of the vaccine?
No. It takes a few weeks after vaccination for your body to build up COVID-19 immunity.
Your body should start to develop some immunity 12 to 14 days after the first vaccine, but the clinical trials and data show that you won’t hit the 90% to 95.6% protection range against the virus until a week or more after your second Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. The clinical trials were completed with a two-dose series, so it is also unknown how long any immunity from just a single dose would last. Don’t miss out on savings! Get the best ways to save on your prescriptions delivered to your inbox. By signing up, I agree to GoodRx’s terms of service and privacy policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx.
If I received the Pfizer vaccine for my first shot, can I get the Moderna vaccine for my booster shot?
No. If you got the Pfizer vaccine for your first shot, you need to get the Pfizer vaccine for your second shot. The same goes for the Moderna vaccine.
Clinical trials were only conducted with people who took the same vaccine; there are no studies on the efficacy or safety of receiving vaccines from different manufacturers. Stick with the one you started with.
Am I still protected against COVID-19 if I get my second shot after the 3-week or 4-week window?
It is important to stay as close to the 3-week or 4-week window as you can. This will give you the best chance of building the strongest immunity to COVID-19.
But if it is truly impossible for you to stay within the recommended window, the current guidelines state that you can get your second vaccine up to 6 weeks after the first. This goes for either vaccine. We have limited data on immunity outside of the 6-week mark, however, so getting it as close as possible to the recommended time frame is best.
If I miss the window to get the second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, do I need to start the whole process over again?
No. Even though there is limited data outside of the 6-week mark, it is not recommended that you restart the whole series. This could change in the future as we learn more. For now, get your second vaccine as soon as you can after the 3- or 4-week mark.
How do I manage side effects from the second shot?
You should avoid taking medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen before the COVID-19 vaccine, but it is fine to take them afterwards if you experience some side effects that get in the way of doing daily activities.
Some common side effects after the second COVID-19 vaccine include arm pain, fever, chills, body aches, headaches, and fatigue. These are normal and expected symptoms, and a good sign that your body’s immune system is working.
These symptoms should go away after a few days — usually around 48 to 72 hours. It may be helpful to keep your schedule light the day after your vaccine, if possible. If you experience prolonged symptoms, unexpected or severe symptoms, or are concerned about any symptoms, please contact your provider for medical advice or seek immediate medical attention.
The bottom line
Check with your local vaccine site about scheduling your second COVID vaccine — being proactive will help ensure you finish your vaccine series in time. Don’t panic if you can’t get your second vaccine at exactly the 3- or 4-week mark. Just get it as close to that date as possible.
Side effects are expected with the COVID-19 vaccine and are simply a sign that your body’s immune system is working. It’s OK to take acetaminophen or ibuprofen if you develop symptoms.
Leave a Reply