How can I get the vaccine?
Find a location or call (833) 621-1284.
Vaccination Locations (Spanish) (Chinese) (Hindi) (Polish) (Arabic) (Tagalog)
How much does it cost?
The COVID-19 vaccine is always free. You will not be charged and do not need to have health insurance.
Is the vaccine effective?
Yes, the vaccine is one of the most powerful tools we have to save lives, stop the spread of the virus, and end the pandemic. Research shows that the vaccine is very effective in protecting people from getting COVID-19, and can prevent you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID. The vaccine also works very well against new strains of the virus that have emerged so far, including the highly-contagious Delta variant.
Is the vaccine safe?
Safety is the top priority in authorizing all vaccines. Rigorous research and testing with diverse populations have demonstrated that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe, and serious side effects are very rare. Millions of people in the United States have already received the vaccine, and the CDC is continually monitoring data to ensure that the vaccines are highly safe and effective. Read more here.
Which vaccine should I get?
All three authorized COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson are highly effective at preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19. To get as many people vaccinated as quickly as possible, public health officials recommend that most people get whichever vaccine is available to you soonest. Youth between the ages of 5 and 17 are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine. People 18 years and older can get any of the three available vaccines.
Women younger than 50 years old should be aware of the low risk of rare blood clots with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and should know that they can choose to receive other vaccines where this risk has not been seen.
Do I need a booster shot?
In order to keep protection as high as possible, the CDC recommends extra shot of the vaccine after the original dose. When you should get a booster depends on a few factors: your age and risk level, which vaccine you got originally, and how long ago you got it. Read more here
Vaccines are widely available at many locations throughout the state.
Many locations now also accept walk-ins without a scheduled appointment.
When can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?
Everyone ages 5 and up is eligible to receive the vaccine.
Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?
Vaccines are currently available at many locations across the state, including hospitals, health clinics, grocery stores, drug stores, pharmacies, and mass vaccination sites. More locations are regularly being added. Find a location and appointment information here, or call (833) 621-1284 to schedule an appointment near you.
Is the vaccine free?
Yes. The vaccine is free to everyone, with or without health insurance, and regardless of immigration status.
How are vaccines allocated?
Illinois is working closely with the federal government and health care providers to ensure that vaccines are available to everyone in the state. Distribution in Chicago may vary from other parts of the state because the CDC recognizes the city of Chicago as a separate jurisdiction. Illinois follows an equity-centered approach to allocating vaccines to ensure that communities are most at risk from COVID-19 have access first. Read more here
What if I’m undocumented?
Everyone in Illinois, including individuals who are undocumented, can receive the vaccine when they are eligible. Vaccine providers may not ask individuals to provide documentation regarding their immigration status.
The CDC and health experts recommend that people get vaccinated as soon as they can. The more people who are vaccinated, the better we can protect our communities and the sooner we can end the pandemic.
What if I’m not at increased risk for COVID-19?
You should get vaccinated even if you don’t think you are at a high risk for severe illness from COVID-19. COVID-19 can seriously affect anyone, including young and otherwise healthy people, and there is no way to know how it will affect you specifically. We are also still learning about long-term health consequences of having COVID-19. In addition to protecting yourself from serious illness, getting vaccinated will protect others around you and help to stop the pandemic.
What if I have already had COVID-19?
You should get vaccinated even if you previously had COVID-19. Having COVID-19 gives you some immune resistance to the virus, but it is unclear how long that lasts. Getting the vaccine is the best way to make sure you are protected as fully as possible.
What if I currently have COVID-19?
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms of the virus, the CDC recommends that you wait and follow quarantine guidelines until you recover before getting your vaccine.
What if I have allergies?
None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain preservatives or animal products such as eggs. Serious allergic reactions to the vaccine are very rare, but if you have experienced severe allergic reactions to other vaccines in the past, check with your doctor before scheduling your appointment. You can find more information here.
What if I’m pregnant, breastfeeding, or want to get pregnant?
You can get the vaccine if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or want to get pregnant in the future. Experts including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that all pregnant individuals get vaccinated against COVID, and there is no indication that COVID-19 vaccination causes any problems with fertility, breastfeeding, or pregnancy. In fact, studies indicate protection from the vaccine is passed on to newborns from pregnant and lactating women. Pregnant people are also at a higher risk of serious illness if they get COVID-19. For more, see here.
What if I have other health concerns?
Many preexisting health issues increase the chance of severe illness from COVID-19, and most people with underlying medical conditions should get the vaccine. Clinical trials of the vaccines included people with a range of medical conditions to ensure their safety and effectiveness. Learn more here.
Can children get the COVID-19 vaccine?
Everyone age 6 months and above can receive a COVID vaccine. Learn more here.
Can I be required to get a vaccine?
Employers can require that their employees get vaccinated, and organizations may require proof of vaccination to participate in activities or services. Federal, state, and local governments may also mandate vaccines for employees.
What does getting the vaccine involve?
The COVID-19 vaccine is administered by injection to the arm. You will be asked to stay at the vaccination location for 15 minutes after getting your shot so that medical professionals are on hand in case you experience a rare allergic reaction. When you leave your appointment, you will get a vaccination card or printout with information about which COVID-19 vaccine you received, the date you received it, and where you received it. Make sure to hold onto that card, and consider taking a picture of it as a backup. You may need it for your second appointment if you are receiving the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.
How many doses do I need?
If you get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you will need only one dose. If you get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, you will need two doses to get full protection from the virus, and you will be scheduled to receive your second dose three to four weeks after your first. You can sign up for free text reminders here.
People with moderately or severely compromised immune systems who have already gotten two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines can get a third shot to strengthen their response to the vaccine. Learn more here
What are the side effects?
Many people experience some side effects after receiving the vaccine. Common side effects include pain, redness and swelling where you got the shot, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, chills, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes. While not everyone will experience them, these reactions are a normal part of the body’s immune system building resistance to the virus. Most side effects are minor and subside in a day or two, but they may be more pronounced after the second vaccine dose. Read more here
In very rare cases, some people may experience allergic reactions to the vaccine. Vaccination providers are prepared to quickly and effectively treat patients who experience allergic reactions on site.
Can the vaccine give me COVID-19?
No. The vaccine does not contain any of the live virus, so it cannot make you sick with COVID-19. You may experience some side effects that can make you feel unwell for a few days after receiving the vaccine, but these are normal signs that your body’s immune system is responding to the vaccine. It takes two weeks for the vaccine to be fully effective, so it is important to maintain masking and social distancing guidelines to avoid getting COVID-19 in that time. For more on how vaccines work, see here.
Are there other risks?
The evidence is that the benefits of receiving the vaccine significantly outweigh the risk of rare negative reactions. Health officials and researchers are continually monitoring vaccine information to quickly detect and respond to any safety concerns. Read more
How long does it take for the vaccine to be effective?
It takes some time for the body to build immunity to COVID-19 after getting the vaccine. The vaccine will be fully effective two weeks after you receive your final dose (either your second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine). Until then you can still get sick with COVID-19, so make sure to keep following prevention measures.
What happens after I get my first dose?
If you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you will not need another dose. If you received the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, you will schedule a follow-up appointment to receive your second dose three or four weeks later. Hold on to the vaccination card or printout you are given at your first appointment, as you may need it for your second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.
What if I miss my second dose?
You will need two doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine to be as protected as possible from the virus. If you forget or miss your second dose appointment, contact a vaccine provider to reschedule as soon as possible. If you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you do not need a second dose.
Do I need a booster shot?
In order to keep protection as high as possible, CDC recommends extra shot of the vaccine after the original dose. When you should get a booster depends on a few factors: your age and risk level, which vaccine you got originally, and how long ago you got it. You can check your eligibility here.
Should I confirm that I have immunity with an antibody test after getting vaccinated?
There is no need to get an antibody test after receiving your vaccine. We know from extensive clinical trials that the vaccines are highly effective. Additionally, commercial antibody tests may not be designed to detect the same antibodies that the vaccines produce, and so are not a reliable indicator of immunity.
Once I’m fully vaccinated, can I go back to normal life?
Two weeks after your final vaccine dose you will be able to resume most everyday activities that are not safe for unvaccinated people. According to CDC guidelines, fully vaccinated people can safely resume many everyday activities without physically distancing or wearing a mask. However, to reduce the risk of potentially spreading the Delta variant to unvaccinated people, CDC recommends that everyone wear a mask in public indoor settings if they are in an area with high COVID rates. Federal, state, and local regulations, as well as rules in workplaces and businesses, may also require masks and other preventive measures in certain settings.
Can I still get COVID if I’m fully vaccinated?
No vaccine is 100% effective, and it is possible for a fully-vaccinated person to become infected with COVID. These cases are rare, however, and even you do get infected, the vaccine will protect you from getting seriously ill. Almost all hospitalizations and deaths from COVID are among unvaccinated people. Learn more here
How do I confirm my vaccination status?
You will receive a card with your vaccine information when you get your shot. Keep this card for your records, and consider taking a photo as a backup. Illinois residents 18 years and older can also check their COVID-19 vaccination record with the online Vax Verify system.
The amount of information circulating about the COVID-19 vaccine can be daunting.
Some of the information being shared– especially on social media – is misinformed, misleading, or false.
For the most accurate, up-to-date information, seek out fact-checked sources from verified health experts and organizations.
COVID-19 Misconceptions (SciCheck)
On this page, you’ll find answers to commonly asked questions, as well as links to our articles debunking misinformation.
COVID-19 Vaccine Myths and Facts (University of Pennsylvania Medicine)
Penn Medicine sets the record straight about some of the most common COVID vaccine myths, including:
- The vaccine causes COVID-19
- The COVID-19 vaccine was rushed to market
- The COVID-19 vaccine causes sterility
- I will have immunity from COVID-19 right after receiving the vaccine
- There is a tracking microchip in the COVID-19 vaccine
Vaccine rumors debunked: Microchips, ‘altered DNA’ and more (BBC)
The BBC looked into some of the most widely shared false vaccine claims, including claims about the following:
- Altered DNA
- Microchips
- Fetus tissue
- Recovery rates
Finding Credible Vaccine Information (CDC)
Before considering vaccine information on the Internet, check that the information comes from a credible source and is updated on a regular basis. CDC’s vaccines and immunization web content is researched, written and approved by subject matter experts, including physicians, researchers, epidemiologists, and analysts. Content is based on peer-reviewed science. CDC leadership makes the final decision on the words, images and links to best serve the information needs of the public as well as healthcare providers, public health professionals, partners, educators, and researchers. Science and public health data are frequently updated. Most pages are reviewed yearly.
