FAQs

Yes. The vaccines are safe and they work. Being up to date on your vaccine is still the best way to protect yourself against severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19, even against the more contagious variants that are circulating. Getting vaccinated also helps reduce the spread of the virus in our communities.

Learn more from the CDC about how: 

• COVID-19 vaccines are effective
• COVID-19 vaccines were developed
• mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) work 
• vector vaccines (Johnson & Johnson) work

Yes. Being up to date on your vaccine is still the best way to protect yourself against severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19, even against the variants currently circulating in the United States. It also helps slow the spread of the virus in our communities. The less a virus spreads, the fewer chances it has to change into different variants. 

Scientists are still learning how effective COVID-19 vaccines are at preventing infection from Omicron. The CDC expects the current vaccines to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. While infections in vaccinated people do happen, most cases are mild, which means that the vaccines are working as they should.

More About Variants

The Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original virus and the Delta variant. The CDC expects that anyone who is infected with the Omicron variant can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.

Also, there is evidence that people who were infected with the original strain of the COVID-19 virus early in the pandemic are not as protected from getting infected again unless they are vaccinated. 

The Health Department detects any potential variants of concern through genetic sequencing of certain viral specimens. Find more information on the variants in Vermont.

Learn more from the CDC about COVID-19 variants

Yes. COVID-19 vaccines are very effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death. But no vaccine is 100% effective. That means some people who are vaccinated will get COVID-19. This is called a “vaccine breakthrough.” This happens with any vaccine including measles, mumps, flu and others.

If you are vaccinated and get COVID-19, you are much less likely to get very sick, be hospitalized or die. However, you can be contagious. The CDC expects that anyone who is infected with the Omicron variant can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.

In general, if more people have COVID-19, there will be more vaccine breakthrough infections. However, your risk of infection, hospitalization, and death are much lower if you are vaccinated. That is why being up to date on your vaccine is still the best way to protect yourself against severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19.

Community Immunity

Vaccine protection is more than one person being vaccinated. The more virus going around in the community, the higher your chances of coming into close contact with someone who is sick with COVID-19. When enough people in a community are protected against a contagious disease, it becomes harder for it to spread. It is this "community immunity" that helps protect us all from getting sick.

Learn more from the CDC about the possibility of COVID-19 illness after vaccination

• If you are sick, even with a mild illness, you should not get vaccinated. Stay home and get tested for COVID-19.
• If you currently have COVID-19, please wait until you have recovered before getting vaccinated. 
• If you had COVID-19, you can get vaccinated once you have fully recovered.
• If you have COVID-19 and are in isolation, you will need to wait to get your vaccine until you are able to end your isolation.
• You can get the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines at the same time.
• You do not need to get tested for COVID-19 before getting the vaccine, unless you have symptoms. Then stay home and get tested for COVID-19.
• If you are getting a booster, second or additional dose, remember to bring your vaccine card.

In clinical studies, COVID-19 vaccines were just as effective for people with and without medical conditions. In fact, people with some conditions are more likely to get very sick if they get COVID-19, so getting vaccinated could be even more important.

If you are unsure if you should get the vaccine, talk to your health care provider about any conditions you have. If you do not have a health care provider, call 2-1-1 to be connected to care, or contact the nearest federally qualified health center or one of Vermont’s free & referral clinics.

Review the health screening questions asked before you get the vaccine.

Yes. You should still get vaccinated even if you already had COVID-19 and have fully recovered. Once you recover from COVID-19, you may have some immune protection from getting it again, called “natural immunity.” However, the level of protection you may get from natural immunity varies. It may depend on how mild or severe your illness was, how long it has been since you were infected, and how old you are.

Getting vaccinated will further boost your immune response and significantly lower your risk of getting COVID-19 again, especially from more contagious variants. It is also the best way to protect yourself from getting very sick, being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19 if you get it again.

According to the CDC, there is also evidence that people who were infected with the original strain of the COVID-19 virus early in the pandemic are not as protected from getting infected again, unless they are vaccinated.

Yes. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

Pregnancy

There is now more evidence that getting vaccinated during pregnancy is safe and effective. These data suggest that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.

Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with people who are not pregnant. People who have COVID-19 during pregnancy are also at increased risk for preterm birth (delivering the baby earlier than 37 weeks) and stillbirth and might be at increased risk for other pregnancy complications.
 

Breastfeeding

COVID-19 vaccines cannot cause infection in anyone, including a breastfeeding mother or baby, and the vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 in people who are breastfeeding. Recent reports have shown that breastfeeding people who have received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna) have antibodies in their breastmilk, which could help protect their babies. More data are needed to determine what protection these antibodies may provide to the baby.

For More Information

• Watch the video Sara Asks about the COVID-19 Vaccine, which is also available in other languages.
• Learn more from the CDC about vaccination considerations for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you regularly take pain relievers like aspirin, acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol) or ibuprofen (for example, Motrin, Advil), allergy or other medications for medical conditions, please continue to do so as directed by your health care provider or as needed.

Do not take pain relievers or allergy medication before you get the vaccine to avoid side effects or allergic reactions. Allergy medications do not prevent a serious allergic reaction. They may hide symptoms that would tell a health care provider to treat an allergic reaction. Pain relievers may limit the vaccine from making a strong immune response. 

After your vaccine, you can take pain relievers for any side effects you may have from the vaccine to help you feel better.

• Most clinics are not drive-through. You will need to get out of your car and go inside.
• You do not need to bring any identification. Some clinics may ask for your health insurance information and for you to show your health insurance card, but you do not need health insurance to get a vaccine.
• If you are getting a second dose, additional dose, or a booster shot, we recommend bringing your vaccine card to your appointment, but it is not required.
• You may need to wear a mask. If you are not vaccinated, wearing a mask helps protect you and the people around you from getting or spreading COVID-19.

Every vaccine clinic is a little bit different, but here is what you can generally expect:

1. Before you enter the clinic, someone will ask questions to determine if you have any current symptoms of COVID-19. You may have your temperature checked. If you do have symptoms, then you will be asked to get your vaccine later.
2. You will go inside and check in. You will be asked to fill out paperwork, which will include a health screening questionnaire.
3. You will be asked to go to a vaccination station where you will get the vaccine in your arm.
4. You will be given a handout with information about the vaccine you got and any possible side effects to watch out for, as well as how to report any reactions or side effects you may have.
5. You will be asked to stay for 15 to 30 minutes so you can be watched for any immediate reactions to the shot.
6. If you are getting your first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, be sure to plan to get your second dose at a later date. Learn more about the timing of your second dose.

If you are going to a drive-through clinic, you will stay in your car. Someone will check you in and then give you the vaccine. You’ll be asked to wait 15 to 30 minutes before leaving.

Most clinics are not drive-through. You will need to get out of your car and go inside. Vaccine clinics are handicap accessible. Wheelchairs may be available at some sites.

Language interpreters (including ASL) can be arranged at Health Department vaccination sites. Usually, the interpreter will work with you remotely by phone or video conference through a computer available at the site. To request an interpreter, ask one of the public health workers at the site. You can also request for a clinic staff member to wear a clear mask if you need this accommodation to communicate. See the COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Guide

If you need physical assistance getting to your vaccine appointment, you can have one other person come with you. Both of you may have your temperatures taken and may be required to wear a mask. You will also be asked questions to determine if you have any current COVID-19 symptoms. If either of you do, then the person who has symptoms won’t be allowed to go any further.

Yes. Free public transportation to vaccine clinics is available to Vermont residents who do not have their own transportation. Rides are coordinated by the Vermont Public Transportation Association. Volunteer drivers will use cars, vans or buses. All rides are ADA compliant and will accommodate people living with disabilities.

Please make a request at least 48 hours before your vaccine appointment. These rides are subject to the availability of transportation resources, so advance notice is necessary to make sure you will have a ride.

Rides are only available if you are not sick with COVID-19 (with symptoms or without symptoms) or are not a close contact of someone who has COVID-19. If you fall into one of these categories, you will need to answer some questions to find out when you can use public transportation.

Find contact information for your local public transportation provider

These contact numbers can only be used to schedule transportation. People answering these lines cannot answer questions about vaccine scheduling or clinical questions related to COVID-19.

Many people are afraid of getting vaccines because they are often given with a needle. The physical reaction inside you is very real. There are ways to overcome these fears through conditioning and practice. This can help you get the COVID-19 vaccine and other lifesaving vaccines or medical treatments you may need during your life.

Here are a few things you can do:

• Talk to your provider about what you can expect. Knowing what is coming can help.
• Remember to breathe. This helps calm your body and mind.
• Distract yourself from the procedure. Fix your focus on something else like a magazine or bring a support person to help.
• Look away from the needle.
• Think positive thoughts. Tell yourself that you are getting a shot for protection. Tell yourself you can do it. Then the more you do it, the easier it should be next time.

Side effects from the vaccine are normal signs that your body is building protection against COVID-19. They might even affect your daily activities but should go away in a few days. Some people have no side effects, and allergic reactions are rare. Common side effects are:

• Pain, swelling or redness on the arm where you got the shot 
• Tiredness 
• Headache 
• Chills 
• Muscle pain 
• Fever 
• Nausea

What to do about side effects: 

• After your vaccine, you can take pain relievers for any side effects you may have from the vaccine to help you feel better. Don't take them before you get the vaccine to prevent side effects. 
• Call your health care or vaccine provider if side effects are worrying you or if they don’t go away after a few days. 
• If you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and develop a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks of receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine immediately contact your health care provider.
• You can use V-safe to tell the CDC about any side effects and to get reminders for your second dose. V-safe is an optional smartphone tool that uses text messages and web surveys to provide personalized check-ins. If you don’t have a smartphone, a family member can sign up for you. Learn more and register for V-safe. V-safe is available in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese or Korean.
• If you have a bad reaction after getting vaccinated, you or your health care provider can report it to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Call 1-800-822-7967 or report it online.

The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, also called VAERS, accepts and analyzes reports of possible side effects related to a vaccine. It’s important to know that anything reported is only a report, and can be reported by anyone. They do not necessarily mean the vaccine caused the event reported. Thoroughness and transparency are critical when it comes to vaccine safety, but VAERS reports should be used and interpreted with caution.

It takes time for vaccines to work. It may be hard to tell the difference between side effects from the vaccine and symptoms from sickness if you get infected with COVID-19 between vaccine doses. While everyone’s reaction may be different, vaccine side effects usually start within 12 to 24 hours after your vaccination. They should go away within a few days. 

If symptoms get worse or last longer than a few days, contact your health care provider. They should be able to suggest next steps and maybe a COVID-19 test. Getting the vaccine will not affect your COVID-19 test results.

Try to keep your vaccine card in a safe place so you don’t lose it, like in your wallet or stored with other important documents. You can also take a picture of it with your smartphone. Carry your COVID-19 vaccination card with you in case a business or venue asks to see it.

If you lost your vaccine card or your information is wrong, the Vermont Immunization Registry (IMR) can give you a copy of your vaccination record. The IMR and the CDC cannot issue you a new white CDC COVID-19 vaccination card. 

If you got your vaccine at a pharmacy, they may be able to replace your COVID-19 vaccination card. Not all pharmacies or locations provide this service. Check before you go to be sure. You could also check with your health care provider to see if they issue new COVID-19 vaccination cards.

To request a copy of your vaccination record, follow the instructions from the IMR or call 888-688-4667, option 3. You can get a copy of your record as an encrypted email (within two business days) or through the mail (within about a week).

If you choose to get your vaccine card laminated, please note that the ink used to write in your dose could run when heat is applied. Also, booster shots or additional doses won’t be able to be recorded if the card is laminated.

If you are a Vermont resident and got the COVID-19 vaccine in another state, connect with your health care provider in Vermont to make sure your vaccination is on record. This will ensure that both your medical records are updated and your vaccine is recorded in the Vermont Immunization Registry.

The COVID-19 vaccines are working well at preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death – even against the more contagious variants that are circulating. The CDC expects the current vaccines to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant.

Studies show that after getting the COVID-19 vaccine, protection against the virus may decrease over time and be less able to protect against the variants. A booster shot gives your body extra protection. With an increased immune response, people should have improved protection against COVID-19.

The CDC recommends that everyone age 5 and older should get a booster shot. You are eligible to get a booster shot if you are 5 or older and you received:

• your Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago or
• your second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine at least five months ago

Certain people should receive a second booster shot at least four months after their first booster:

• People age 50 or older can receive a second booster of Pfizer or Moderna
• For people who are immunocompromised, those age 12 and older can receive a second booster of Pfizer and those 18 and older can receive a second booster of Pfizer or Moderna
• People who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and Johnson & Johnson booster can receive a second booster of Pfizer or Moderna
  
  Learn more from the CDC. If you have questions, please talk to your health care provider.

Find out how to get your booster shot

For people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems, the CDC recommends that they get an additional dose of the mRNA vaccine before getting their booster shot. Learn more about additional doses.

The CDC recommends that anyone age 5 and older who has a moderately to severely compromised immune system (see list of conditions below), should get an additional dose of the vaccine before getting their booster shot. 

If you got the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, you should get four doses total. 

• Additional dose (third dose): You should get the same vaccine you got for your primary series at least 28 days after getting your second dose.
• Booster shot (fourth dose): You should get your booster shot at least three months after your third dose. You can get whichever vaccine you choose.

If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you should get three doses total. 

• Additional dose (second dose): You should get an mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccine at least 28 days after getting your first dose.
• Booster shot (third dose): You should get your booster shot at least two months after your second dose. You can get whichever vaccine you choose, but mRNA vaccines are preferred.

You are considered to have a moderately to severely compromised immune system if you have:

• Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
• Advanced or untreated HIV infection
• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

If you have one of the conditions listed above, talk to your health care provider about whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for you. In Vermont, when you get your additional dose at a pharmacy or state-run vaccine clinic, you will be asked to agree that you fit the CDC description of someone with a moderately to severely compromised immune system. You will not be asked for proof.

Learn more from the CDC about COVID-19 vaccines for moderately to severely immunocompromised people.

Once you are eligible for a booster shot, you can choose whichever booster type you would like to get: Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson. It does not matter which vaccine you got originally.

Moderna booster shots are given as half doses, no matter which vaccine you originally got.

Yes. The booster shot for the Moderna vaccine is half the size of the dose given for the first and second doses, no matter which vaccine type you got originally.

Yes. The definition of “fully vaccinated” is not changing at this time. You are fully vaccinated 14 days after you received two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

However, you are not fully protected from COVID-19 until you get your booster shot. Booster shots are recommended for everyone age 5 and older and additional doses are recommended for people who have moderately to severely compromised immune systems. Learn more about booster shots and additional doses.

It will take about two weeks after your shot for the booster to take full effect.

No, you don't need to wait. You can get the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines at the same time. This includes children who are eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. This means you can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines on the same day, or close together.

When COVID-19 vaccines were first made available, you needed to wait two weeks between getting the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines, like your flu shot. That guidance has changed as more data has become available.

Find current guidance from the CDC about getting the COVID-19 vaccine with other vaccines.

Yes, but you will need to wait until you are fully recovered and are able to end your isolation.

So far, reactions reported after getting a booster shot are similar to those after the primary series. Fever, headache, fatigue, and pain at the injection site were the most commonly reported side effects, and overall, most side effects were mild to moderate. However, as with the primary series, serious side effects are rare, but may occur.

If you had a severe reaction to your first or second vaccine dose, or are concerned about having a reaction, you should talk to your health care provider before getting a booster shot.

You can get your booster shot through your health care provider, a pharmacy or anywhere you get vaccines. You can also search for a location on vaccines.gov and a listing of walk-in clinics here.

You will have to state that you meet the eligibility requirements. You will not have to show proof, but you should bring your COVID-19 vaccine card.

Yes!

You will be given a new card at your booster shot appointment.

Children ages 5 to 11 will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The dose is specially made for this age group – one-third the size of the dose for people 12 and older. This provides enough protection with the least potential for side effects. Children will receive two doses of the vaccine given three weeks apart.

Children age 5 to 11 should also receive a booster shot at least five months after completing their primary vaccine series. Learn more.

For some immunocompromised children ages 5 to 11, the CDC recommends an additional dose of the Pfizer vaccine 28 days after their second dose – a total of three doses. Learn more about additional doses.

Learn more and find out where to get the COVID-19 for kids ages 5 to 11

The CDC recommends that children get the vaccine for their age group based on the age they are the day they get their shot.

If your child is 11, they will get the vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. This is the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine that is one-third the size of the dose given to people 12 and older.

If your child turns 12 by the time they receive their second dose, they will get the dose for people age 12 and older.

In general, it is recommended that everyone get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. There is no need to wait for your child to turn 12 before getting them vaccinated.

Your child will be fully vaccinated – and considered up to date on their vaccination – 14 days after they get their second dose.

Yes. The COVID-19 vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines. This means your child can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines on the same day, or close together.

If your child has COVID-19, they should get the vaccine once they have fully recovered. Getting vaccinated will further boost your child’s immune response and significantly lower the risk of getting COVID-19 again.

Some children may have side effects and some children may not. The good news is the vaccine trials for 5 to 11-year-olds showed fewer reports of side effects. Side effects that were reported were milder in this age group, likely due to the lower dose. Additionally, no serious safety concerns were identified. 

Possible side effects among children after COVID-19 vaccination may include:

• Soreness at the injection site
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Low-grade fevers

If your child does have side effects, they should go away in a few days. 

If your child is sick, talk with the school nurse and their primary medical provider to decide when they can return to school. 

Fortunately, vaccine side effects are likely to last less than 24 hours, so a COVID-19 test is not required. 

The good news is the vaccine trials for 5- to 11-year-olds showed fewer reports of post-vaccine side effects and those that were reported were milder in this age group, likely due to the lower dose. Most common: fatigue (40%), headache (28%), muscle/joint pain (12%) and most reported as mild. 

Vaccine side effects do NOT include symptoms associated with COVID-19 — runny nose, congestion and cough.

In preparation for vaccinations for kids, a wide variety of learning opportunities have been provided to our community clinic staff and pediatric health care providers, specific to best practice when vaccinating young children. This includes distraction techniques and unique considerations for children and youth with sensory or developmental diversity.

You can also reach out to your child's health care provider to see if they have the vaccine if you're more comfortable getting the vaccine with their provider.

Learn more from the Vermont Family Network about helping to ease anxiety for children with disabilities and special health needs when they are getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

Kids age 12 and older can get the Pfizer vaccine. Clinical trials of the Pfizer vaccine among kids ages 12 to 15 showed that the vaccine is safe and effective for that age group. None of the children who got the Pfizer vaccine during the clinical trial got sick with COVID-19.

Since protection from the vaccines can decrease over time, the CDC recommends booster shots for anyone 12 and older to be fully protected from COVID-19. Your child can get a booster shot of the Pfizer vaccine if it has been at least five months since their second dose.

Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are each running clinical vaccine trials with adolescents 12 to 17 years old. 

We understand that not everyone is able to isolate. For example, you may not be able to work from home, may not have paid time off, or must care for children or other dependents. If this is the case, here are some things you can do to help lower the risk of getting other people sick:

• Wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask, or a disposable mask under a cloth mask.
• Limit close contact with other people as much as possible.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces as much as possible.

Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience long-term effects, also known as long COVID, long-haul COVID or post-acute COVID. Learn more from the CDC about the long-term effects of COVID. You can also find help through the UVM Health Network's COVID-19 Recovery Program.

Yes. You can get COVID-19 again. Once you recover from COVID-19, you may have some immune protection from getting it again, called “natural immunity.” However, the level of protection you may get from natural immunity varies. It may depend on how mild or severe your illness was, how long it has been since you were infected, and how old you are. 

If you are not vaccinated, you should still get vaccinated after you recover from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated significantly improves your protection from getting COVID-19 again, especially from more contagious variants. It is also the best way to protect yourself from getting very sick, being hospitalized or dying from COVID-19 if you get it again.

If you have recovered from COVID-19 and develop new symptoms of COVID-19, you should isolate and contact your health care provider.