This blog was originally posted in 2021. Some information may be out of date. For the latest updates on vaccines, testing, screening, visitor policy and post-COVID support, visit EEHealth.org/coronavirus.

Since the first COVID-19 vaccine dose was administered in December 2020, health officials have administered more than 285 million doses of vaccine into the arms of Americans. To date, 39 percent of Americans are fully vaccinated and almost 50 percent have received at least one dose of vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children ages 12-15, expanding the number of people eligible to receive the vaccine.

If you are among the number of Americans who have yet to be vaccinated, there’s still plenty of opportunities to get your shot.

The COVID-19 vaccines offered by Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen (J&J), all have been granted emergency use authorization (EUA) by the FDA and have proven effective at preventing serious outcomes, including hospitalization or death, from the virus.

Though the vaccine itself cannot give you the virus, you may experience some side effects after your vaccination. According to the CDC, some of the more common side effects include pain, redness and swelling on the arm where you received your vaccine. Other common side effects include tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and nausea.

If you receive the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, both require two shots. People have reported experiencing more intense side effects after the second dose.

Side effects could affect your ability to do daily activities, so try to plan so you can rest after your shot if needed. The CDC notes that these side effects are signs that your body is building protection and they should disappear within a few days.

It’s important to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated before and after vaccination. Also, ask your doctor about taking over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin or antihistamines, to help with any pain or symptoms you may experience after getting vaccinated. It is not recommended you take over-the-counter medicine before vaccination to try to prevent side effects.

As always, your doctor is your first point of contact if you have any questions about vaccination. If you experience any symptoms that worry you, if symptoms don’t go away after a few days, or if redness or tenderness in your arm worsens 24 hours after getting your shot, contact your doctor.

If you had an immediate allergic reaction after a COVID-19 vaccine, the CDC recommends that you not get a second shot (if you received the two-dose vaccine). An immediate allergic reaction happens within four hours of getting vaccinated and may include hives, swelling and wheezing (respiratory distress).

Though rare, anaphylactic reactions can occur with any vaccine. You will be monitored for 15 to 30 minutes after your shot to check for severe allergic reaction. If you have a history of anaphylaxis, you should talk to your doctor to determine which vaccine is appropriate for you.

The Janssen (J&J) vaccine, which only requires one dose, was paused for a short time due to a rare brain blood clot combined with low blood platelets or cerebral venous sinus thrombosis thrombocytopenia. The adverse effects were reported through the Vaccine Adverse Reporting System, prompting the pause for the vaccine.

Nearly 8 million doses of vaccine had been administered when it was put on pause. The CDC and FDA reviewed data involving 15 cases where people had developed TTS after receiving the vaccine. Most were women between the ages of 18 and 48 and they developed symptoms within 6 to 13 days of receiving their shot. The pause was lifted in late April 2021 under an amended EUA that includes additional warnings, particularly for women under the age of 50.

You are considered to be fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the single-shot Janssen (J&J) vaccine, or after the second shot of the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer vaccines. Though it remains unclear how long you are protected against the virus after vaccination, recent studies show the Pfizer vaccine provides protection for at least six months.

The vaccine is effective at protecting you from getting sick. Once you are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, you can start doing some things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic, according to the CDC.

Of course, fully vaccinated people should still exercise caution. If you’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19 you should still monitor yourself for any symptoms and get tested. Vaccine breakthrough cases have occurred, although data suggest it is not often and symptoms are rarely severe.

This blog was reviewed by Jonathan Pinsky, M.D., Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention at Edward Hospital.

Edward-Elmhurst Health now has COVID-19 vaccine appointments available to anyone in our communities age 12 and older. It’s easy to schedule a vaccine appointment. You no longer need a MyChart account. Schedule your COVID-19 vaccine now.

For the latest updates on the COVID-19 vaccine, please check EEHealth.org/coronavirus/vaccine.

Are you wondering whether to get the vaccine? Read our blog to learn more.

The information in this article may change at any time due to the changing landscape of this pandemic. Read the latest on COVID-19.