Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search


Español  Other Languages


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
 Search
		×
			Vaccines site
			Vaccines site
				All CDC
				Submit
			For a full list of topics:A-Z Index
			Advanced Search
		Advanced Search


Vaccine Information Statements (VISs)


Section Navigation
			
			CDC Home








COVID-19 VISCOVID-19 Vaccine: What You Need to Know						Print
																Related Pages
										Current Edition Date: 10/19/2023On This Page
			Why get vaccinated?COVID-19 vaccineTalk with your health care providerRisks of a vaccine reactionWhat if there is a serious problem?Countermeasures Injury Compensation ProgramHow can I learn more?
		
Print VIS [2 pages]
RTF file [3 pages](For use in electronic systems)
More information about COVID-19 vaccinationWhy get vaccinated?
**COVID-19 vaccine** can prevent **COVID-19** disease. Vaccination can help reduce the severity of COVID-19 disease if you get sick.
COVID-19 is caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 that spreads easily from person to person. COVID-19 can cause mild to moderate illness lasting only a few days, or severe illness requiring hospitalization, intensive care, or a ventilator to help with breathing. COVID-19 can result in death.
If an infected person has symptoms, they may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms.
Possible symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue (tiredness), muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.
More serious symptoms can include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, or pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone.Older adults and people with certain underlying medical conditions (like heart or lung disease or diabetes) are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.COVID-19 vaccine
Updated (2023–2024 Formula) COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older.
COVID-19 vaccines for infants and children 6 months through 11 years of age are available under Emergency Use Authorization from the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Please refer to the Fact Sheets for Recipients and Caregivers for more information.
For people 12 years of age and older, updated COVID-19 vaccines, manufactured by ModernaTX, Inc. or Pfizer, Inc., are approved by FDA.
**Everyone 12 years and older** should get 1 dose of an FDA-approved, updated 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine. If you have received a COVID-19 vaccine recently, you should wait at least 8 weeks after your most recent dose to get the updated 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine.**Certain people who have medical conditions or are taking medications that affect the immune system**may get additional doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Your health care provider can advise you.Some people 12 years of age and older might get a different COVID-19 vaccine called Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, Adjuvanted (2023–2024 Formula) instead. This vaccine is available under Emergency Use Authorization from FDA. Please refer to the Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers for more information.Talk with your health care providerTell your vaccination provider if the person getting the vaccine:
Has had an **allergic reaction after a previous dose of COVID-19 vaccine or an ingredient in the COVID-19 vaccine**, or has any **severe, life-threatening allergies**
Has had **myocarditis** (inflammation of the heart muscle) or **pericarditis** (inflammation of the lining outside of the heart)
Has had **multisystem inflammatory syndrome** (called MIS-C in children and MIS-A in adults)
Has a**weakened immune system**In some cases, your health care provider may decide to postpone COVID-19 vaccination until a future visit.
People with minor illnesses, such as a cold, may be vaccinated. People who are moderately or severely ill should usually wait until they recover. People with current COVID-19 infection should wait to get vaccinated until they have recovered from their illness and discontinued isolation.
Pregnant people with COVID-19 are at increased risk for severe illness. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future.
COVID-19 vaccine may be given at the same time as other vaccines.Risks of a vaccine reactionPain, swelling, or redness where the shot is given, fever, tiredness (fatigue), headache, chills, muscle pain, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, and swollen lymph nodes can happen after COVID-19 vaccination.
Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) have been seen rarely after COVID-19 vaccination. This risk has been observed most commonly in males 12 through 39 years of age. The chance of this occurring is low.People sometimes faint after medical procedures, including vaccination. Tell your provider if you feel dizzy or have vision changes or ringing in the ears.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death.What if there is a serious problem?
An allergic reaction could occur after the vaccinated person leaves the clinic. If you see signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives, swelling of the face and throat, difficulty breathing, a fast heartbeat, dizziness, or weakness), call **9-1-1** and get the person to the nearest hospital.
Seek medical attention right away if the vaccinated person experiences chest pain, shortness of breath, or feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart after COVID-19 vaccination. These could be symptoms of myocarditis or pericarditis.
For other signs that concern you, call your health care provider.
Adverse reactions should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Your health care provider will usually file this report, or you can do it yourself. Visit the **VAERS website** or call **1-800-822-7967**. *VAERS is only for reporting reactions, and VAERS staff members do not give medical advice.*Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program
The Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) is a federal program that may help pay for costs of medical care and other specific expenses of certain people who have been seriously injured by certain medicines or vaccines, including this vaccine. Generally, a claim must be submitted to the CICP within one (1) year from the date of receiving the vaccine. To learn more about this program, visit the program’s **website**, or call **1-855-266-2427**.How can I learn more?
Ask your health care provider.
Call your local or state health department.
Visit the website of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for COVID-19 Fact Sheets, package inserts, and additional information.
Contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Call **1-800-232-4636** (**1-800-CDC-INFO**) or
Visit CDC’s COVID-19 vaccines websiteMany vaccine information statements are available in Spanish and other languages. See www.immunize.org/vis
Hojas de información sobre vacunas están disponibles en español y en muchos otros idiomas. Visite www.immunize.org/visVaccine Information Statement
COVID-19 Vaccine
(10/19/2023)
Department of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and PreventionOffice Use Only
COVID-19 VIS barcodeTop of Page
					View Page In:PDF [153K]RTF [157K]		
					
							Last Reviewed:  October 19, 2023						Source: 	National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
					Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate VIS Home
Current VISs
What's New with VISs
About VISs
Instructions for Using VISs
Facts About VISs
Frequently Asked Questions
Dates of Current and Past VISs
VIS Barcodes Vaccines & ImmunizationsImmunization Schedules


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue