Frequently Asked Questions

Similar to the flu vaccine, a COVID-19 vaccine is given as a shot into the muscle of the upper arm. The number of doses of a particular vaccine you should receive depends on factors such as your age and the health of your immune system. Currently, for adults, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine requires one dose. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses 3 to 8 weeks apart. A supplemental dose (also called boosters) is given later – at least 2 months later if you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and at least 5 months later if you received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines initially. These boosters are given the same way as the initial vaccines and are recommended for all persons 5 years and older. For people with weaker immune systems additional doses are recommended.

Yes, you can get other vaccines, including the flu shot, as the same time as an initial or booster COVID-19 vaccination.

Yes. You will be able to choose which vaccine you receive based either on personal preference or which vaccine is available. .

Yes. At this time, the data support vaccination for those who had COVID-19. We know you can get the virus more than once, plus it remains unclear how long protection from infection lasts. There is also concern that infection may not offer protection against newer variants. Getting a vaccine after having COVID-19 will provide an additional boost to your body’s immune system against the virus. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer choice to protect yourself, your loved ones and our community.

If you had COVID-19, you should NOT come to a medical facility until:

• It has been 10 days since you first had signs of COVID-19 or a positive COVID-19 test AND
• You have been fever-free for 24 hours without using any fever-reducing medications AND
• Your other symptoms of COVID-19 are getting better.

If you are receiving the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, the minimum age is 6 months. If you are receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the minimum age is 18. 

At this point, both vaccines are recommended. You may select a vaccine based on personal choice or which vaccine is most available in your area.

The FDA has not made recommendations about this yet. We recommend completing the series for whichever brand you choose.

If you are a UNC Health patient and need to get a COVID-19 test, here's how you can get tested:

• Schedule your test using My UNC Chart and selecting “Schedule an Appointment” from the menu. 
• Contact your UNC Health provider and ask to be scheduled for the test. 

If you are not a patient at UNC Health, here is how you can get tested:

• Visit the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services website to find a free testing site near you.
• Request an at-home test kit from LabCorp. Read the instructions on how to request a kit.

Your body’s immunity to many viruses, whether acquired naturally or through a vaccine, declines over time. A booster shot is an additional dose of a vaccine that gives a “boost” to your immunity and provides better protection from disease. Many routine vaccines require more than one shot to maintain immunity. For example, adults should get a Tdap booster every 10 years; that protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). With a booster, the immunity that has already been established by a vaccine is stimulated again. So, in a way, the booster serves as a reminder to the immune system’s memory, which can fade over time after vaccination.

Studies show that some people with weakened immune systems do not respond fully to COVID-19 vaccination and that additional doses of the vaccine can boost the levels of antibodies the body makes to fight COVID-19. In addition, COVID-19 variants, which are responsible for almost all COVID-19 cases in the United States right now, are much more easily spread. Higher levels of immunity, such as those produced by a booster shot, may be needed to better protect against this variants, especially for those who are immunocompromised, were vaccinated earlier, or at risk for severe COVID-19.

A COVID-19 booster shot is an additional dose of a vaccine that gives a “boost” to your immunity and helps better protect you from the virus. Studies show that those who have been vaccinated and boosted are less likely to get severely ill compared to people who are not vaccinated.  UNC Health strongly recommends everyone who is eligible get a booster vaccine.

Supplemental doses of COVID-19 vaccines, also called boosters, are authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for all people age 5 or older. Initial immunity from the vaccines can diminish over time and a booster shot is another dose of a vaccine that gives a “boost” to your immunity and helps protect you from the virus and severe COVID-19.

UNC Health strongly recommends everyone who is eligible get a booster vaccine. Established UNC Health patients can schedule their booster dose through My UNC Chart. Booster doses are also widely available at local pharmacies and through the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). If you are not a UNC Health patient, please visit the NCDHHS website for a full listing of where vaccines are available in your community.

If You Are Immunocompromised

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that individuals with weakened immune systems who received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines obtain a third dose of either Pfizer or Moderna, as part of a three-dose, primary series taken before any booster shots. You’re eligible for your third dose of either of these vaccines about one month after your second dose. This three-dose series should be followed at least three months later with a booster dose so that in total you receive four doses. 

Individuals with a weakened immune system who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should receive an additional vaccination with a Pfizer or Moderna shot at least two months after their initial dose followed by a booster dose for a total of three doses.

After you have received your additional primary shots, refer to CDC guidelines about if you need to schedule your booster shot.

Examples of those with weakened immune systems include, but are not limited to, those who have had a solid organ transplant such as a kidney or lung, have advanced or untreated HIV, or are undergoing chemotherapy or receiving other immune-suppressing treatment.

If You are NOT Immunocompromised

Pfizer or Moderna

If you received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, and it’s been at least five months since your initial doses, you are eligible for a Pfizer booster if you are 5 years or older and a Moderna booster if you are 18 years or older. You can get the same brand of shot you got the first time or “mix and match” and choose the other.

The FDA recently expanded authorization – and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their guidance to recommend – a second booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID vaccines for individuals ages 50 and older groups at least four months after receiving their first booster dose.

Johnson & Johnson 

Anyone age 18 or older who received a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine two or more months ago is eligible for a booster dose of any of three vaccine brands.  

Experts are encouraging Johnson & Johnson recipients to get either Moderna or Pfizer as a booster shot. 

If you are unsure if you qualify, talk to your healthcare provider about whether getting a booster dose is appropriate for you. For those who are not yet eligible to get a booster vaccine, UNC Health continues to closely monitor announcements from the FDA and CDC and will update our guidance accordingly.  Thank you for your patience as we work to confirm these details. Please check back here for updates.

Most people now can choose which of the vaccines they receive as a booster shot. For example, if you were initially fully vaccinated with Pfizer, you can opt to stick with Pfizer or get a Moderna booster.  This is called mix-and-match. In accordance with the FDA and CDC guidelines, UNC Health will allow patients to mix-and-match COVID vaccines. 

Moderna tested a booster of their vaccine at half the dose of each of the initial vaccination doses and found it worked well to bump antibody levels. Neither Pfizer nor Johnson & Johnson have presented data on boosting with doses other than those used in the initial shots.

People who contract COVID-19 can make protective immune responses. However, studies show that re-infection is not uncommon and that those who had COVID-19 and get vaccinated have better protection against repeat infection than those who remain unvaccinated. The timing of vaccination after COVID-19 depends on different individual factors but vaccination can begin as soon as a person is no longer infectious (contagious).

Some people who get ill with COVID-19 can be treated with medications called monoclonal antibodies. These are antibodies created in a lab and designed to attach to the spikes on the surface of the COVID-19 virus. Even if you had COVID-19 and were treated with a monoclonal antibody, you can get vaccinated once you are out of isolation.

The FDA recently expanded authorization – and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their guidance to recommend – a second booster dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID vaccines for the following groups at least four months after receiving their first booster dose:

• Individuals ages 50 and older
• Immunocompromised individuals ages 18 and older are eligible for either Pfizer or Moderna if it has been 4+ months since the receipt of their first booster dose. 
• Immunocompromised individuals ages 12 and older are eligible for Pfizer if it has been 4+ months since the receipt of their first booster dose.
• Individuals ages 18 and older who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine for both the primary series and first booster dose if it has been 4+ months since their first booster dose. 

Patients who meet this updated eligibility criteria can schedule their vaccine appointment for a second booster dose at UNC Health locations through My UNC Chart. Eligible patients can also schedule appointments outside of UNC Health through the NC DHHS website. 

Whether or not we will we face a future with annual or semi-annual COVID-19 boosters depends on many factors including the strength of the protection provided by the vaccines, the proportion of the population that remains unvaccinated, and how much COVID-19 is being spread.

By being up to date with vaccines you still have a much lower risk of becoming infected with and seriously ill from COVID-19 than people who are not vaccinated. However, you should continue to follow all of the recommended COVID-19 precautions to protect your loved ones, teammates and community.

This is a legitimate concern. COVID-19 is much more likely to continue to be a major health crisis if many people across the world remain unvaccinated. New variants may emerge in places outside the United States where vaccination is less available, causing illness and death among people there and potentially spreading here. The U.S. federal government has stated there is ample supply of vaccine to provide initial and booster doses in the United States, as well as donating 500 million to one billion doses to other countries in need of vaccines.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that individuals with weakened immune systems who received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines obtain a third dose of either Pfizer or Moderna, as part of a three-dose, primary series. You’re eligible for your third dose of either of these vaccines one month after your second dose. This three-dose series should be followed at least three months later with a fourth booster dose. 

Individuals with a weakened immune system who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should receive an additional with a Pfizer or Moderna shot at least two months after their initial dose followed by a booster dose for a total of three doses.

Established UNC Health patients can schedule their booster dose through My UNC Chart. Booster doses are also widely available at local pharmacies and through the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). If you are not a UNC Health patient, please visit the NCDHHS website for a full listing of where vaccines are available in your community.

Established UNC Health patients can schedule their booster dose through My UNC Chart. Booster doses are also widely available at local pharmacies and through the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). If you are not a UNC Health patient, please visit the NCDHHS website for a full listing of where vaccines are available in your community.

We encourage you to bring your vaccination card if you have it, but it is not required.

People who participated in clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines that are not yet authorized should contact their research site about the possibility of receiving a booster through the study. Some vaccine clinical trials are looking at boosting participants with the same vaccine. Even if the trial is not offering a booster shot, let the research staff know of your interest in a booster. There may be no or very little data about boosting a particular investigational vaccine with one of the authorized vaccines, so discuss your options with your healthcare provider.

Vaccination remains the best way to prevent serious consequences of COVID infections, including hospitalization, long COVID and deaths. The reason the FDA recently recommended boosters for children ages 5 to 11 is because of a surge in COVID cases and hospitalizations among this age group amidst the omicron surge earlier this year. Now, various subvariants of omicron are spreading.

As in adults, children are at risk for long COVID, even after a mild infection. Additionally, vaccine effectiveness after two doses has been shown to be lower in this age group compared to that in older children and adults, perhaps because this age group received a smaller dose than older individuals.

Clinical trial data showed that antibody levels increased one month after the booster dose.

If your child has side effects, they are likely to be similar to the side effects they experienced with the initial shots. 

Yes, the booster doses are safe, just as the initial vaccine doses have been proven to be safe. The FDA reviewed clinical trial data for 400 children in this age group who received a booster dose at least five months after their last dose, with no serious side effects reported.

Cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart wall) after COVID-19 vaccines have been reported, almost exclusively in male adolescents older than age 16 and young adults and usually within several days after their second dose of the vaccine.

This age group has shown extremely low rates of myocarditis, just slightly above baseline. It is also important to note that teenage boys had two to six times the risk of myocarditis after a COVID-19 infection compared to after the vaccine, so the benefits of vaccination clearly outweigh the risks.

The bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccines are updated vaccines that are designed to provide broader protection against COVID-19 compared to the previous (monovalent) booster vaccines. The bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccines include coverage against the original COVID-19 virus strain plus the current circulating Omicron variants.  

The FDA has authorized two bivalent booster vaccines. The updated Moderna COVID-19 bivalent booster vaccine will be available for patients 6 years of age and older as a single booster dose.  

The updated Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent booster vaccine will be available for patients 5 years of age and older as a single booster dose. 

Patients are eligible for a booster with a bivalent vaccine if it has been at least 2 months since completing a primary series vaccination or receiving a booster with any monovalent (previous) COVID-19 vaccine.  

Age:  

• Patients 6 years of age and older are eligible for the new bivalent vaccine made by Moderna.
• Patients 5 years of age and older are eligible for a single booster dose of the new bivalent vaccine made by Pfizer-BioNTech.
• The bivalent boosters will be the only available booster vaccines.   

The bivalent booster you receive does not need to be from the same manufacturer that produced the vaccine you received for your primary vaccination or any previous booster.  

Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend COVID-19 vaccine appointments with adolescent patients. If you cannot attend an appointment with your child, you can provide consent over the phone.

Yes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration found the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to be effective and safe in this age group.

Almost all of the side effects experienced by the adolescents who received the vaccine in the clinical trial were expected, including a sore arm, headache, feeling tired, muscle aches and chills. These side effects were very similar to what they have seen in studies of adults who get the Pfizer vaccine.

We suggest you avoid scheduling a vaccine appointment the day before a final exam, dance recital, camp, travel or an important sporting event  – just in case.

In addition, one rare safety concern has been the risk of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle and pericarditis, the inflammation around the heart, which has appeared occasionally in younger adults who received the vaccine. The cases that have been reported are generally mild, thankfully, with the majority experiencing full recovery and most not even requiring hospitalization. Cases are more commonly seen among teenage boys than girls, and among teenagers than adults. Most importantly, the risk of myocarditis for children under 16 years is 37 times higher for those infected with COVID-19 than those who haven’t been infected with the virus.

Yes, other vaccines and the COVID-19 vaccine can be received on the same day. 

If your child has a fear of shots and/or needles, we suggest you do not tell them about the appointment too far in advance. It may be worse for them if they have too much time to think about it. Instead, wait for the day of the appointment to explain why they need the shot. You can tell them that it will keep them, their friends and loved ones safe, and help us return to a more normal life.

Make sure you tell the person who is administering your child’s shot if they have a history of fainting with needles. If your child has fainted while getting a shot before, the CDC recommends they do the following:

• Have a beverage or snack before getting your vaccine.
• Breathe slowly and deeply before getting the vaccine and think of something relaxing.
• Sit or lie down after you receive your vaccine.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend COVID-19 vaccine appointments with pediatric patients. 

Yes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration found the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to be effective and safe in this age group.

Side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines include a sore arm, headache, feeling tired, muscle aches and chills. Side effects were more often reported after the second dose than the first.

Your child may experience flu-like symptoms after his or her shot, so avoid scheduling a vaccine appointment the day before a big test, dance recital, camp, travel or an important sporting event—just in case. Also, there is no need to pre-medicate before your child gets the vaccine, but it is fine to give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) after vaccination for arm pain or muscle aches.

There were no cases of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, in the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 clinical trials for this age group.

No. The children in this age group are given a lower dose of the vaccine—10 micrograms, compared with 30 micrograms in people ages 12 and older.

Although most children typically don’t get as sick with COVID-19 as adults, that’s not the case for everyone. More than 13.5 million children have been infected since the beginning of the pandemic. In addition, some children and teenagers get extremely sick, and about 1,000 children have died. Children who experience symptomatic infections can have long-term side effects such as fatigue, shortness of breath and brain fog, as well. Studies show that the risk of serious COVID-19 in children is reduced with vaccination. 

Finally, the goal of immunization is not only to prevent an infection for the individual, but to prevent further spread. We have to remember that every time you have a virus spread from one person to another, that raises the likelihood of having a mutation (or variant) such as the delta and omicron variants.  

Yes, other vaccines and the COVID-19 vaccine can be received on the same day. 

If your child has a fear of shots and/or needles, we suggest you do not tell them about the appointment too far in advance. It may be worse for them if they have too much time to think about it. Instead, wait for the day of the appointment to explain why they need the shot. You can tell them that it will keep them, their friends and loved ones safe, and help us return to a more normal life.

Make sure you tell the person who is administering your child’s shot if they have a history of fainting with needles. If your child has fainted while getting a shot before, the CDC recommends they do the following:

• Have a beverage or snack before getting your vaccine.
• Breathe slowly and deeply before getting the vaccine and think of something relaxing.
• Sit or lie down after you receive your vaccine.

Yes. At this time, the data support vaccination for those who have previously been infected with COVID-19. We know you can get the virus more than once, plus it remains unclear how long protection from infection lasts. There is also concern that infection may not offer protection against newer variants. Getting a vaccine after having COVID-19 will provide an additional boost to your child’s immune system against the virus.

If your child had COVID-19, they should NOT come to a medical facility until:

• It has been 10 days since their first had signs of COVID-19 or a positive COVID-19 test 
• AND They have been fever-free for 24 hours without using any fever-reducing medications 
• AND Their other symptoms of COVID-19 are getting better.

Given the spread of COVID-19 variants, even if you are fully vaccinated, if there are a lot of COVID-19 cases in your community, the CDC recommends you still wear a mask. 

Yes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration found the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines to be effective and safe in children under age 5, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the vaccines for this age group.

Studies in children 6 months of age and older have shown the vaccines significantly reduce the chance a COVID-19 infection. In addition, we expect the vaccines for younger children will provide protection from the most severe outcomes of COVID-19, such as hospitalization and death.

Studies show that both vaccines are safe. The Moderna vaccine will be given in two doses one month apart. In clinical trials, the Moderna vaccine was 50 percent effective at preventing a COVID-19 infection in children younger than age 2 and 37 percent effective in children ages 2 to 5 years. Data on a booster is still being evaluated, but it is likely a booster dose of the Moderna vaccine will be recommended. The Pfizer vaccine will be given in a three-dose series, with the first two doses given three weeks apart and the third dose given two months after the second dose. The effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine at preventing a COVID-19 infection with symptoms was 76 percent in children less than age 2 and 82 percent in children ages 2-4 years.

Vaccine studies were first conducted in adults. Once they were found to be safe and effective in adults, clinical trials included adolescents and then young children, moving down to 6 months of age. Vaccine manufacturers wanted to make sure the vaccines were both safe and effective in adults before progressing to the youngest children in the same studies. There are good reasons why the youngest children are the final group in a vaccine rollout. All clinical trials on humans prioritize safety, but growing children are a special population. Researchers wanted to make sure they have as much information as possible on safety, efficacy, dosage and immune response before giving the vaccines to children.

Children were given the vaccines, and then researchers collected data that included safety studies by monitoring these children for any side effects or new signs of symptoms. Researchers then ran blood tests to see if the vaccine created a strong immune response. To find out how effective the vaccines were, some children were given the real vaccine (either Pfizer or Moderna) and some were given a placebo, which was not an active vaccine. The children who received either vaccine were much less likely to have a COVID-19 infection than the children who received the placebo.

Many vaccines were in development at the beginning of the pandemic. The vaccines that seemed the safest and most effective were studied further in adults and children. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines have shown they are very safe and effective in this age group.

Vaccine studies to date have shown that the two vaccines are very similar in safety and effectiveness. At this point there is no preference of one of these two vaccines, and both are recommended for use. You may choose a vaccine based either on personal preference or which vaccine is available.

Side effects are minor and similar to other vaccines, and the clinical trial data for this age group show no serious side effects. Side effects may include irritability and crying in the youngest children (under age 3) and feeling tired in the older age group (older than age 3). In clinical trials, 8 to 20 percent of children had a short-term fever following vaccination. There is no need to premedicate before your child gets the vaccine, but it is fine to give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) after vaccination for aches or fever.

While it is true that young children are less likely to have serious illness with COVID-19, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that COVID-19 is the fifth leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4. Doctors are also still learning about long COVID, in which COVID symptoms last for weeks or months, which can also affect children. Children with COVID-19 can infect older individuals who are more likely to get a serious illness. And infected children and their peers continue to experience school and day care closures and quarantines because of the virus.

Yes, and they can receive the COVID-19 vaccine after they have recovered from the illness. Children who have had COVID-19 before can still have re-infection with a new variant, and vaccines and boosters can help prevent that. The vaccines provide better immunity than natural infections in many settings.

Children have high antibody levels within two weeks of finishing the vaccine series. The Pfizer vaccine needs three doses for maximum effectiveness, and studies show it is not as effective unless a child receives all three doses. The Moderna vaccine is effective after the initial two-shot series. There is not yet a booster shot from either manufacturer for children younger than 5.

Vaccines should be available anywhere current vaccines for older children are offered.

You can feel safer after your child is vaccinated, but additional precautions such as masking indoors and avoiding crowded areas are still recommended in some settings, especially in areas where the COVID-19 infection rates are high.

There have not been official recommendations for this yet, but we would recommend vaccinating young kids as soon as possible. At this time, we are still seeing large numbers of COVID-19 infections in all age groups. In adults, even though protection against infection did decrease over time, breakthrough infections are still much less likely to be severe in vaccinated people than those who are unvaccinated. We expect all age groups to receive further recommendations depending on virus activity in the fall.

UNC Health offers vaccines at multiple locations throughout North Carolina. Appointments can be made at UNC Health locations via the UNC Health website, My UNC Chart or by calling your primary care office. We encourage minors to be accompanied by a parent or guardian, You may also visit the NC DHHS website for other options to get vaccinated.

Booster doses are widely available at local pharmacies and through NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). Visit the NCDHHS website for a full listing of where vaccines are available in your community.

No. You can go to any location that is most convenient for you.

If you have a My UNC Chart account, you can find your appointment details there. If you do not have a My UNC Chart account, you should have received a confirmation email or text message with appointment details.

You can call 984-215-5485 with any questions or concerns. The scheduling line is open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

If you have a My UNC Chart account, you can reschedule or cancel your appointment there. If you do not have a My UNC Chart account, please call 984-215-5485. The scheduling line is open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Everyone is monitored for at least 15 minutes after getting the shot. Please plan to wait up to 30 minutes after you receive your vaccine before you can leave to drive home.

There will be no charge to patients. If you have insurance, we will bill your insurance company. The patient will have no responsibility for any payment.

UNC Health will never ask patients for personal information such as social security numbers, bank accounts or other financial data. COVID-19 vaccines are not for sale, and no one representing themselves as having vaccines for sale is a legitimate representative of UNC Health or the UNC Health Alliance.

UNC Health is confident in the safety and effectiveness of these vaccines. The Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines were each studied in large clinical trials that enrolled tens of thousands of people. These trials include both women and men from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. They found that the vaccines are well-tolerated with no unexpected unfavorable effects.

The FDA continues to monitor the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines. Over 592 million people in the United States have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (more that 222 million have been fully vaccinated). Worldwide almost half of all people on the planet have had a COVID-19 shot. Serious side effects following vaccination with the three vaccines used in the United States have been extremely rare.

About a dozen women out of several million who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine developed a rare type of stroke. In addition, myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, has been observed especially in young men and boys who received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Most of these cases resolved quickly. In one large study of people receiving the Pfizer vaccine, there was a slightly higher risk of myocarditis among those vaccinated compared to those unvaccinated. However, for those who were not vaccinated and got infected, there was a much higher risk of myocarditis compared to those who did not get infected. Therefore, when it comes to myocarditis, COVID-19 was a greater risk than vaccination.

The development of the COVID-19 vaccines – and the clinical trials testing their safety and effectiveness – were accomplished in record time but without any cutting of corners or disregarding of standard research procedures. This was to respond to the emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Scientists from across the world, including at UNC, worked hard to conduct large, rigorous studies to ensure the safety of the vaccines before they became available. These clinical trials also included a diverse group of participants. In addition, two groups of non-government scientists – along with the FDA and CDC – independently reviewed the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine before they became available in the U.S.

No. The vaccines do not contain the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. All of the COVID-19 vaccines work by helping your body build up its defenses against the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

At this time, children under the age of 6 months cannot get a vaccine.

If you have a history of severe allergic reactions, especially to vaccines, discuss getting the COVID-19 vaccine with your doctor and possibly an allergist. If you have a known allergy to the components of the COVID-19 vaccines, you should not receive them.

If you have a history of fainting with needles or a fear of shots, the CDC recommends doing the following:

• Have a beverage or snack before getting your vaccine.
• Breathe slowly and deeply before getting the vaccine and think of something relaxing.
• Sit or lie down after you receive your vaccine.

Note: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine encourage pregnant women to get the COVID-19 vaccine

At this time, only those with a known allergy to the components of the COVID-19 vaccines should not receive them. If you have a history of severe allergic reactions – especially to vaccines – you should discuss your situation with your primary care provider before scheduling your vaccination appointment. For all other types of allergies including to food, pollens, pets, insect stings, latex and oral medications, the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly recommended. Additionally, a history of allergic reactions to other vaccines may not indicate an allergy to this one.

Everyone is monitored for at least 15 minutes after getting the shot, and if you have a history of severe allergic reactions, you will be monitored for 30 minutes. It is important that you share any history of severe allergic reactions to those providing a COVID-19 vaccine, so you can be monitored appropriately.

Although the likelihood of a bad reaction is very small, our patients’ safety is our priority and our medical staff is fully prepared. The observation period is required, medication (epinephrine) is available, and everyone has the right training to make sure you are safe.

Studies are looking at how long the vaccines provide protection from getting infected with or sick with COVID-19. At present, the data suggest the vaccine remain effective for at least 6 months to a year.

Viruses are constantly changing, and new versions—called variants—can develop. In addition, your body’s immunity to many viruses, whether acquired naturally or through a vaccine, declines over time. COVID-19 booster shots remain incredibly important as the pandemic continues, with case counts ebbing and flowing and new variants expected.

People who are vaccinated and boosted have the most protection against infection and illness from future variants that may emerge.

Yes. Vaccines aren’t meant to completely prevent infection or even mild cases. The main goal of any vaccine is to keep you from getting very sick and needing to go to the hospital or dying if the virus enters your body. That is what we are seeing now, with the majority of those getting hospitalized with COVID-19 being those who are not vaccinated.

Your arm may be sore, red or warm to the touch after you receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Other possible side effects include a headache, fever, chills or muscle aches – especially after receiving the second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. These symptoms usually go away on their own within 1-2 days. Side effects are normal and are a sign the vaccine is working. If you get a sore arm, it can help to move it often. For headaches and body aches, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is preferred, but you can take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) if needed. Rest if you can.

In clinical trials, there have been no reports of long-term side effects from the COVID-19 vaccines. Since then, a small number of people out of millions were diagnosed with a rare type of stroke after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. All of the people diagnosed with this stroke have been adult women. 

You should talk to your primary care doctor if you are concerned about your side effects. If you do not have a doctor, please call the place where you received your shot with any concerns.

If you receive a two-dose vaccine, you will make your appointment for your second dose of the vaccine at your first vaccine appointment. If you need to change your appointment for your second dose, you can do so in My UNC Chart.

If you do not have a UNC MyChart account, please call (984) 215-5485.  The scheduling line is open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

UNC Health asks that you get your second dose at the same location where you received your first dose. If you are unable to get a vaccine at the location where you received your first dose, please call 984-215-5485. The scheduling line is open 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

If you got a vaccine that requires two doses and you test positive for COVID-19 after your first dose, you should NOT come in for your second vaccine until:

• It has been 10 days since you first had signs of COVID-19 or a positive COVID-19 test AND
• You have been fever-free for 24 hours without using any fever-reducing medications AND
• Your other symptoms of COVID-19 are getting better.

If you have a My UNC Chart account, you may cancel your appointment online by going to www.myuncchart.org. If you do not have a My UNC Chart account, please call the location where you received your first shot to cancel or reschedule your appointment or call (984)-215-5485.

It takes time for your body to build up protections against COVID-19 after your vaccine. If you get a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna), you are considered to be protected from COVID-19 two weeks after receiving your second dose. If you get a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson), you are considered protected two weeks after receiving your vaccine. Given the spread new variants, even if you are fully vaccinated, the CDC recommends you still wear a mask if you have a weakened immune system. 

According to the CDC, you should quarantine if you have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 unless you have been fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated do not need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested three to five days after their exposure even if they don’t have symptoms.