Vaccine protection and safety

Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine and how can I know it's safe?

Watch a video to learn COVID-19 vaccine safety and why they're recommended.

Will the COVID-19 vaccines provide protection from COVID-19?

The FDA  has approved the COVID-19 vaccine for use in preventing serious illness from COVID-19 among people ages 16 and older. Certain COVID-19 vaccines are also FDA emergency-use authorized (EUA), among people 6 months and older to help prevent serious illness from COVID-19, by the FDA . For people who have certain immunocompromised conditions,  the FDA authorized an additional dose of the primary series COVID-19 vaccines to help maximize protection for this population. Details can be found in the chart below.

COVID-19 Vaccines

Comirnaty and Pfizer-BioNTec COVID-19 vaccine
Age	Primary series	Booster dose(s)
6 months - 4 years	A 3-dose/3 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. A 3 mcg monovalent vaccine is administered for the first and second doses. A 3 mcg bivalent vaccine is administered for the third dose. Children who previously received a 3-dose monovalent primary series are not authorized to repeat the third primary series dose using the bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.	A booster dose is not authorized for this age group who receive a Pfizer-BioNTech primary series.
5 years	A 2-dose/10 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. For individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised  a 3-dose/10 mcg monovalent primary caccine series is recommended.	A single 10 mcg monovalent booster dose (Pfizer-BioNTech) is recommended. For individuals who previously received a monovalent booster dose, a bivalent booster dose is administered at least 2 months after the last monovalent booster dose.
6 - 11 years	A 2-dose/10 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. For individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised  a 3-dose/10 mcg monovalent primary caccine series is recommended.	A single 10 mcg monovalent booster dose (Pfizer-BioNTech) is recommended for all individuals regardless of immune status. For individuals who previously received a monovalent booster dose, a bivalent booster dose is administered at least 2 months after the last monovalent booster dose.
12+ years	A 2-dose/30 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. For individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised  a 3-dose/30 mcg monovalent primary caccine series is recommended.	A single bivalent booster dose (50 mcg Moderna or 30 mcg Pfizer-BioNTech) is recommended. For individuals who previously received a monovalent booster dose, a bivalent booster dose is administered at least 2 months after the last monovalent booster dose.
Spikevax and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
Age	Primary series	Booster dose(s)
6 months - 4 years	A 2-dose/25 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. For individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised  a 3-dose/25 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended.	A single 10 mcg bivalent booster dose (Moderna ) is recommended.
5 years	A 2-dose/25 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended.  For individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised  a 3-dose/25 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended.	A single bivalent booster dose (10 mcg Moderna or 10 mcg Pfizer-BioNTech) is recommended.
6 - 11 years	A 2-dose/50 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. For individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised  a 3-dose/50 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended.	A single bivalent booster dose (25 mcg Moderna or 10 mcg Pfizer-BioNTech) is recommended.
12+ years	A 2-dose/100 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended. For individuals who are moderately or severely immunocompromised  a 3-dose/100 mcg monovalent primary vaccine series is recommended.	A single bivalent booster dose (50 mcg Moderna or 30 mcg Pfizer-BioNTech) is recommended. For individuals who previously received a monovalent booster dose, a bivalent booster dose is administered at least 2 months after the last monovalent booster dose.
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine
Age	Primary series	Booster dose(s)
12+ years	A 2-dose/0.5 ml primary vaccine series is recommended for all individuals regardless of immune status.	A single bivalent booster dose (50 mcg Moderna or 30 mcg Pfizer-BioNTech) is recommended.

Like the flu vaccine, vaccination providers will administer the COVID-19 vaccine based on availability. Vaccination providers may not have all FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines at their location.

Important reminders on the protection COVID-19 vaccines provide:

• Like other vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines can take several weeks after vaccination completion for full effectiveness.
• Fully vaccinated people may carry the virus after exposure, even if you are not showing symptoms.
• The duration of protection against COVID-19 is currently unknown and being studied.

Because of this, you should follow public health safety guidelines  to help protect yourself and others. For the latest information, go to the CDC .

Are COVID-19 vaccines safe?

The safety of vaccines is a top priority, and millions of people have already been safely vaccinated. All FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at preventing serious illness, including hospitalization and death, from COVID-19, according to the CDC  They are key to slowing the pandemic. The U.S. vaccine safety system makes sure all vaccines go through an extensive process to confirm levels of safety. The recently FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines went through this process. Even after emergency use authorization, the FDA continues to review clinical data about the vaccines.

Approval is granted once the FDA determines the vaccine to be safe and effective at preventing serious illness from COVID-19. The FDA goes through a detailed review of clinical data and information, as submitted in the Biologics License Application (BLA) .

The CDC website has additional COVID-19 vaccine safety information .

Are there side effects associated with COVID-19 vaccines?

Side effects from vaccines are normal signs that your body is building protection. As with other vaccines and according to the CDC, people have reported some side effects  with the FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. The most common side effect is a sore arm. Some other side effects may feel like flu and might even affect your ability to do daily activities. But they should go away in a few days. You can learn more on the CDC website .

In the event of an emergency, you should call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.

If you have side effects that bother you or do not go away, you should report them to your vaccination provider or primary care provider. You should also notify the CDC at 1-800-822-7967. This is because the CDC and FDA continue to monitor the safety of the FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. You can also use the CDC’s v-safe mobile app , which will help you monitor side effects and get second dose reminders.

What is FDA-emergency use authorization?

The FDA has a review process for safety and effectiveness that it completes before it will authorize vaccines for emergency use by the general public. Once the FDA authorizes a vaccine for emergency use, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)  will meet to vote on recommending the vaccine.

When evaluating an emergency use authorization (EUA), the FDA carefully balances the potential risks and benefits of the products based on the data currently available. During the national public health emergency period, the FDA continues to monitor both the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.

As more COVID-19 vaccines are authorized for emergency use by the FDA, ACIP will quickly hold public meetings to review all available data about each vaccine and make recommendations for their use in the United States. Learn more about how the CDC is making COVID-19 vaccine recommendations. 

What does approval from the FDA mean?

The FDA approval determined that the vaccine is safe and effective at preventing COVID-19. The FDA goes through a detailed review of clinical data and information, as submitted in the Biologics License Application (BLA). In addition, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)  and the CDC have recommended the COVID-19 FDA-approved vaccines:

• Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, also known as Comirnaty. This vaccine was approved for use in preventing COVID-19 among people age 12 and older, and continues to be authorized for emergency use to prevent COVID-19 among people six months to 1 years old.
• Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, also known as Spikevax. This vaccine was approved for use in preventing COVID-19 among people ages 18 years and older, and continues to be authorized for emergency use to prevent COVID-19 among people six months to 17 years old.

Are there people who should not get the COVID-19 vaccine?

The current FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines are not recommended for people with certain conditions or of different ages. The current vaccines are authorized for use among the following ages:

• Pfizer-BioNTech   is not authorized or approved for children under six months old.
• Moderna   is not authorized for children under six months old.
• Novavax  is not authorized for people under the age of 12.
• Janssen  is not authorized for people under the age of 18.

Per the FDA , women younger than 50 years old should be aware of the rare risk of blood clots with low platelets after Janssen vaccination. Other COVID-19 vaccines, such as Comirnaty and Spikevax,, are available for which this risk has not been seen.

There are other special considerations for when it might not be a good time to get the vaccine:

• If you've recently been exposed to COVID-19, see the CDC guidelines  for getting the vaccine.
• If you’ve had monoclonal antibody treatment or received convalescent plasma, the CDC states  vaccination should not occur for at least 90 days. 

Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about getting vaccinated for COVID-19.

According to the CDC , if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine or an injected medicine, you should ask your doctor if you should get a COVID-19 vaccine. A severe reaction is one that requires treatment at a hospital or with medications like an EpiPen (epinephrine). According to the CDC, the likelihood of severe reaction to the FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines is very low.

The CDC recommends the people who have seasonal allergies or allergies to food, pets or oral medications, can still be vaccinated. If you have any questions, you should check with your health care provider.

For more information, read the FDA’s patient fact sheets: Pfizer-BioNTech , Moderna , Novavax  and Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen . Health care professionals can also look to the FDA’s health care provider fact sheets available for Pfizer-BioNTech , Moderna , Novavax  and Janssen ; and the package inserts for Comirnaty  and Spikevax .

Does the formulation for the additional third dose and booster dose differ from the first 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccine?

According to the CDC, the FDA-approved Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine and the FDA-authorized Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine have the same formulation and may be used interchangeably. The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine administered for the first two doses of COVID-19 vaccine is the same formulation as the additional third dose and booster dose. While the ingredients are the same for all ages, people ages 12 years and older receive a higher dosage than children ages 6 months through 11 years old.

According to the CDC, The FDA-approved Moderna Spikevax COVID-19 vaccine and the FDA-authorized Moderna COVID-19 vaccine have the same formulation and may be used interchangeably. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine administered for the first two doses of COVID-19 vaccine is the same formulation as the additional third dose. The Moderna COVID-19 booster dose is one-half the formulation the original series.

Should a member get the vaccine if they are pregnant or considering pregnancy in the future?

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended by the CDC  and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists  for all people age 12 years and older. This includes people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now or might become pregnant in the future. Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can protect you from severe illness from COVID-19.

If you have questions, a conversation with your health care provider about the COVID-19 vaccine may be helpful.

Can I have a mammogram after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine?

If mammography is scheduled within 6 weeks after your final vaccination shot, consult with your healthcare provider or physician if it should be rescheduled.

Do the COVID-19 vaccines affect fertility?

There is no evidence that the vaccine has any effect on male or female fertility. When the vaccine is given during pregnancy, the vaccine allows the mother to create antibodies which then protect both the mother and baby from infection.

If I’ve had COVID-19, can I get vaccinated?

According to the CDC , COVID-19 vaccinations should be offered to people regardless of whether they have previously had COVID-19. You do not need an antibody or diagnostic test before or after you are vaccinated to learn if the vaccine worked.

Anyone currently infected with COVID-19 should wait to get vaccinated until after their illness has resolved and after they have met the criteria to discontinue isolation. Additionally, current evidence suggests that reinfection with the virus that causes COVID-19 is uncommon in the 90 days after initial infection. So, people with a recent infection may delay vaccination until the end of that 90-day period.

What should I know about face masks and protecting my health?

The American Academy of Pediatricians  and the American Medical Association  support face masks as a science-based tool in helping prevent and control COVID-19. Masks help keep your respiratory droplets in, while keeping other people’s droplets out. They are effective in helping slow the spread of COVID-19, especially for 1) both vaccinated and unvaccinated people in highly-impacted areas , and, and 2) people and households who are not yet vaccinated or have an underlying medical condition, according to the CDC . 

Make sure your mask works the best it can, according to the CDC :

• Have two or more layers of washable fabric
• Completely cover your nose and mouth
• Fit snugly against the sides of your face without gaps
• Have a nose wire to prevent air from leaking out of the top of the mask

Learn more about when to wear a mask on the CDC site .

Should I get a flu vaccination if I’ve had or am planning to get a COVID-19 vaccine? Can I get them at the same time?

According The CDC , COVID-19 vaccines can be administered without regard to timing of other vaccines, including the flu vaccine. You can get the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine during the same visit. The CDC says that routine flu vaccination is an important part of preventive care for children, adolescents and adults (including pregnant people) that should not be delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

When do I need to quarantine?

Local public health agencies determine quarantine recommendations , According to the CDC , quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Exposure is defined  as 15 minutes or more of being within 6 feet of an individual who has tested positive or had symptoms within 2 days of exposure. By staying home or not going in public, quarantine helps prevent disease spread before a person knows they have the virus.

The CDC has identified 2 groups of people who do not need to quarantine when exposed:

• You are up to date  with your COVID-19 vaccines.
• You had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (meaning you tested positive using a viral test)

Learn more on the CDC website .

When do I need to isolate?

According to the CDC , isolation is used to separate people infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected. People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. At home, anyone sick or infected should separate from others, staying in a specific “sick room” and using a separate bathroom if possible. The length of the isolation period depends on several factors. Review the CDC’s recommendations  for when isolation can end based on the situation.

What should I know about post-acute sequalae COVID (PASC) or “long COVID”?

According to the CDC , while most people get over COVID-19 within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID-19 conditions that continue 4 weeks or more after infection. Several recent studies show  that between 27-33% of patients who get COVID-19 and were not hospitalized developed some lasting symptoms, no matter their age, prior health or severity of their infection. While much is still unknown, the CDC reports  these “long COVID” conditions can come to life in a variety of ways, ranging from difficulty breathing, fatigue, joint pain or mood changes to even more serious issues like multi-organ damage or autoimmune conditions. FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines play an important role in preventing serious illness from COVID-19. Additional information on PASC is available on the CDC website .

Primary Series: First dose appointment preparation and getting a second dose

What do members need to bring to a vaccine appointment?

Bring your UnitedHealthcare member ID card, and be prepared to show your photo ID, such as a driver’s license, to show proof of identity.

Additional information on preparing for your vaccination appointment can be found on the CDC website .

If the COVID-19 vaccine has no cost-share, why do members need to show their health insurance card?

For many members, UnitedHealthcare pays a fee to the vaccination provider for the administration of the vaccine. In addition, by providing their health insurance card, the member is helping make sure there is a vaccine record available through their online UnitedHealthcare member account (myuhc.com).

If a member receives additional services during their vaccination appointment or get the vaccination during a regular office visit, they may be responsible for copays, deductibles, coinsurance or out-of-network charges, according to their benefits plan.

What should members expect when getting a COVID-19 vaccine?

Here are 3 key points  from the CDC to keep in mind for your appointment:

• Allow extra time. Members’ vaccination providers will likely monitor them after receiving the vaccine. This is in case of a rare allergic reaction . So, members should plan on the vaccination appointment taking some extra time.
• Schedule the second dose. Members should plan ahead for their second dose by scheduling their second vaccine appointment if possible. Members can also sign up for free text messaging through the CDC’s VaxText  to a get a reminder about their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Vaccine cards should be kept in a safe place. Members should receive a vaccination card during their appointment that says which vaccine they received, the date it was received and where it was received. We suggest they keep it in a safe place.

If a member receives an additional dose or booster, their vaccination card will be updated to reflect that at their next appointment. We encourage you to keep your card with you.

What if the member misses getting their next dose of the COVID-19 vaccine within the recommended window?

The CDC recommends getting the next shot in your series as close to the recommended timing as possible. Follow the vaccination instructions from the manufacturer. If a member misses their vaccination appointment or are outside of the timing, they can still get the second dose and they won’t need to start over with a first dose. And even if the second dose is late, the second dose will still help them get protection from COVID-19. They should schedule their next appointment with their vaccination provider as soon as they can.

What if the member doesn’t remember which COVID-19 vaccine they received?

The member should have received a vaccination card at their first appointment with information on the COVID-19 vaccine manufacturer, date of their first vaccination and when their second dose is due. If they cannot find that, their vaccination provider can help them know which vaccine they received. The member may also be able to find their vaccination information within their vaccine record in their secure account within myuhc.com or medicare.uhc.com.

What if the vaccine the member received isn’t available for the second dose of the primary series?

The member should talk to their health care provider or COVID-19 vaccination provider. They will help the member determine the best next step to completing the COVID-19 vaccination series.

Boosters and additional doses

Who is recommended to get a COVID-19 booster shot?

According to the CDC , several groups are authorized to receive a COVID-19 booster shot.

If you received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, you can get a first booster if:

• It's been at least 5 months since completing the primary series AND you are:
• Age 5+

If eligible, you can get a booster of:

• Pfizer-BioNTech*
• Moderna
• Janssen (J&J) - limited authorized use

*Only Pfizer-BioNTech can be used as a booster in those age 5-17.

If you received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, you can get a first booster if:

• It's been at least 5 months since completing the primary series AND you are:
• Age 18+

If eligible, you can get a booster of:

• Moderna
• Pfizer-BioNTech
• Janssen (J&J) - limited authorized use

If you received the Janssen (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine, you can get a first booster if:

• It's been at least 2 months since completing the primary series AND you are:
• Age 18+

If eligible, you can get a booster of:

• Janssen (J&J) - limited authorized use
• Moderna
• Pfizer-BioNTec

If you received the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine, you are not eligible for booster doses.

2^nd booster shot:  CDC says certain immunocompromised individuals and people over the age of 50 who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months prior are eligible for another mRNA booster (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna).

Which COVID-19 booster should I get?

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. However, according to the CDC, an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) is preferred over the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for booster vaccination. Recipients of an mRNA vaccine primary series ages 18 + who are unable to receive an mRNA booster dose may be offered a Janssen vaccine booster dose following discussion of the benefits and risks.

If If you received a Pfizer-BioNTech, Comirnaty or Moderna primary series, you should get a booster  at least 6 months after last dose in the primary series if you are:

• Ages 50 and older
• Ages 18 and older and living in a long-term care setting 

If you received a Pfizer-BioNTech, Comirnaty or Moderna primary series you may get a booster at least 6 months after last dose in the primary series if you are:

• Ages 18-49
• 16 or 17 and receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech booster

When to get a booster if you received a Pfizer-BioNTech, Comirnaty or Moderna vaccine: At least 6 months after your second shot

Which booster should I get? Any of the COVID-19 vaccines  authorized in the United States. However, according to the CDC, an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) is preferred  over the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for booster vaccination. Recipients of an mRNA vaccine primary series ages 18 + who are unable to receive an mRNA booster dose may be offered a Janssen vaccine booster dose following discussion of the benefits and risks .

If you received the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, you are eligible for a booster if you are 18 years or older 

When to get a booster if you received the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine: At least 2 months after your primary series

Which booster should I get? Which booster should you get? An mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) is preferred over the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for booster vaccination. Recipients of an mRNA vaccine primary series ages 18 + who are unable to receive an mRNA booster dose may be offered a Janssen vaccine booster dose following discussion of the benefits and risks .

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. However, according to the CDC, an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) is preferred  over the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for booster vaccination. Recipients of an mRNA vaccine primary series ages 18 + who are unable to receive an mRNA booster dose may be offered a Janssen vaccine booster dose following discussion of the benefits and risks .

If I am immunocompromised, do I need an additional primary dose, a booster shot or both?

Additional Primary Dose
According to the CDC , if you received a Pfizer-BioNTech (ages 12 and older) or Moderna (ages 18 and older) mRNA COVID-19 vaccine primary series and have a moderately to severely compromised immune system, you should receive an additional primary dose of the same mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least 28 days after the second dose.

Currently, CDC does not recommend an additional primary dose if you received a single-dose J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.

Booster Shots
Immunocompromised people 18 years and older who received a J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine primary dose should also receive a single COVID-19 vaccine booster shot at least 2 months after their primary dose.

Moderately to severely immunocompromised people ages 18 years and older who received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine primary series, and an additional primary mRNA vaccine may get a booster shot 6 months after completing their vaccine primary series. And, CDC says  certain immunocompromised individuals who received an initial booster dose at least 4 months prior are eligible for another mRNA booster (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna).

If you get a booster shot you have the option to either get the same COVID-19 vaccine product as your primary series, or you can get a different COVID-19 vaccine. You may have a preference for the vaccine type that you originally received, and you may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. However, according to the CDC, an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) is preferred  over the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for booster vaccination. Recipients of an mRNA vaccine primary series ages 18 + who are unable to receive an mRNA booster dose may be offered a Janssen vaccine booster dose following discussion of the benefits and risks . You may consider the benefits and risks of each product and discuss with your healthcare provider which COVID-19 vaccine product is the most appropriate booster for you.

If I received an additional shot do I need a booster or 4th shot?

CDC has not made a recommendation to this scenario yet.

Is it okay to “mix and match” COVID-19 vaccines when getting a booster?

There are now booster recommendations for all three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States. Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations now allow for this type of mix and match dosing for booster shots. However, according to the CDC, an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) is preferred  over the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine for booster vaccination. Recipients of an mRNA vaccine primary series ages 18 + who are unable to receive an mRNA booster dose may be offered a Janssen vaccine booster dose following discussion of the benefits and risks .

Can you mix and match the vaccines for an additional primary dose?

The vaccine used for the additional primary dose should be same as the vaccine used for the primary vaccine series. If the mRNA vaccine product given for the first two doses is not available or is unknown, either mRNA COVID-19 vaccine product may be administered.

How long after getting my mRNA COVID-19 vaccine primary series can I get an additional primary dose?

CDC recommends the additional primary dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine be administered at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for immunocompromised people.

What proof of eligibility do I need to provide to receive the COVID-19 vaccine booster?

To help ensure your safety, the CDC  is recommending that you share your proof of vaccination card with your health care provider so they can confirm you meet the appropriate eligibility criteria.

After you get vaccinated

What if I have side effects?

Side effects from vaccines are normal signs that your body is building protection. As with other vaccines and according to the CDC, people have reported some side effects  with the FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. The most common side effect is a sore arm. Some other side effects may feel like flu and might even affect your ability to do daily activities. But they should go away in a few days. You can learn more on the CDC website .

If you experience pain or discomfort after your vaccination, talk to your doctor about taking over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to help with your symptoms. You can also use a virtual visit to connect with a health care professional to discuss your symptoms.

In the event of an emergency, you should call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. 

If you have side effects that bother you or do not go away, you should report them to your vaccination provider or primary care provider. You should also notify the CDC at 1-800-822-7967. This is because the CDC and FDA continue to monitor the safety of the FDA-authorized and FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines. You can also use the CDC’s v-safe mobile app , which will help you monitor side effects and get second dose reminders.

What if you experience side effects from the Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine?

According to the CDC , if you got the Janssen vaccine within the last 3 weeks, your risk of developing a blood clot with low platelets is very low. However, you should be on the lookout for possible symptoms of a blood clot with low platelets, which typically occur within 3 weeks of vaccination. Seek medical care urgently if any of these symptoms develop:

• Severe headache
• Backache
• Blurred vision
• Fainting
• Seizures
• Severe pain in your abdomen or stomach
• Severe pain in your chest
• Leg swelling
• Shortness of breath
• Tiny red spots on the skin (petechiae)
• New or easy bruising or bleeding

If you have other questions, call your primary care provider or other health care professional. You can also use a virtual visit to connect with a health care professional. You can access 24/7 on-demand virtual visits through a designated national provider here . Cost-share for the virtual visit will be according to your benefits plan.

Can I stop wearing a mask after I get my COVID-19 vaccine?

It depends. The CDC provides recommendations  for masking and other prevention steps based on community-specific data like hospital beds being used, hospital admissions, and the total number of new COVID-19 cases in an area. Levels can be low, medium, or high.If you have received only one dose of a two-dose vaccine, you should continue to wear a mask, physically distance and wash your hands regularly to protect yourself from COVID-19.

The CDC guidance  changes once a person is fully vaccinate, which means it is 2 weeks after you have received the second dose of a two-dose vaccine or after getting the one-dose Janssen vaccine. According to the CDC , fully vaccinated people can resume many activities that they did prior to the pandemic, without wearing a mask or physically distancing.

People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure  to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. Masks may be required on public transportation and may be required in other places by local or state authorities.

Continue to follow any mask-wearing requirements based on state, local or business guidance. Refer to the CDC guidance  for complete public health safety guidance.

Do I need to get another dose (or booster) of the COVID-19 vaccine?

The only extra dose of the COVID-19 vaccine currently authorized for emergency use is for those with certain immunocompromised conditions, as defined by CDC .

A booster shot (or additional dose) of a COVID-19 vaccine is not authorized by the FDA, nor recommended by the CDC. More information is expected in mid to late September. We will update uhc.com  and uhcprovider.com  as soon as the appropriate recommendation is made publicly available.

Do I need a COVID-19 test after I get vaccinated to make sure it’s working?

No, the CDC and FDA does not recommend you get COVID-19 antibody or diagnostic testing.

If exposed to COVID-19 post-vaccination, do I need to quarantine?

If you had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and you are in one of the following groups, you do not need to quarantine.

• You are up to date  with your COVID-19 vaccines.
• You had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (meaning you tested positive using a viral test .

Will UnitedHealthcare provide me with a COVID-19 vaccination record?

Your COVID-19 vaccine record can be found within your UnitedHealthcare member account . This record may be helpful for employment, attending events or doing other activities where a COVID-19 vaccination record may be requested.

If your record isn’t showing up, you may choose to self-report your vaccination through your UnitedHealthcare member account . This record can be printed or shared as you’d like. If we receive updated vaccination data from your vaccination provider, your self-reported data will be replaced by the provider’s information.

At this time, UnitedHealthcare does not have COVID-19 vaccination record for all members. We continue to work closely with states and vaccination providers to access vaccination information, so our members have a reliable digital record. 

Your digital record is not intended to replace your official CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card. Continue to keep it in a safe place for when you need it.

We encourage you to keep your doctor informed of your vaccination. Your UnitedHealthcare digital vaccination record  is one way you may choose to share your vaccination information with your doctor or other health care provider.

What if my digital UnitedHealthcare COVID-19 vaccination record isn’t accurate?

Please let us know if your digital record is incorrect by calling the number on your insurance card. This will help us review the information received and identify what the issue might be. Your digital record is created using available claims data as well as information from federal and state agencies.

What should I do with my vaccination card?

We encourage you to keep your vaccination card in a safe place. You may want to consider taking a picture or scan of your vaccination card as a backup copy.

Your vaccine record, which may be available through your online UnitedHealthcare member account , may also be helpful in situations where you may need to show proof of vaccination. If you currently do not have one showing, you can self-report your vaccination, so you have digital proof of vaccination to use and share as you’d like.

I don’t see my vaccine information in my UnitedHealthcare account or mobile app? What do I do?

We encourage you to keep your vaccination card in a safe place. You may want to consider taking a picture or scan of your vaccination card as a backup copy.

There are a few different steps you can take:

1. You can self-report your COVID-19 vaccination information to receive a digital vaccine record in your secure account at myuhc.com.
2. You can also continue to use your CDC card as proof of vaccination.
3. You may also check with your vaccination provider to see if they have a digital vaccination record available for you.

UnitedHealthcare also continues to work closely with states and other vaccination providers to help members have access to an accurate and reliable view of your COVID-19 vaccination status through your secure UnitedHealthcare member account (myuhc.com). Until that reliable member vaccination information is received at UnitedHealthcare, vaccination information will not be available to members.

Will my UnitedHealthcare account get updated with additional doses and/or boosters?

We are in the process of updating myuhc.com to show an additional dose/boosters.

Stay safe and healthy

It’s important to follow public health guidelines to help you stay healthy. Protect yourself and others from COVID-19 by following these simple steps:

• Wear a face mask
• Continue to physically distance
• Avoid crowds
• Wash your hands

Visit the CDC website  or the American Medical Association  for more information for information on life after vaccination, including mask-wearing guidance.

Also, remember to stay on top of your doctor appointments like annual checkups and care for anxiety, depression and loneliness. Most providers also offer telehealth visits  to help you get the care you need.

Clinical resources

Want to learn more? Here are clinical resources from various authorities to help in understanding COVID-19 vaccines.

• Things to know about COVID-19 vaccines from the CDC 
• COVID-19 vaccines from the FDA 
• COVID-19 vaccine myths debunked from the Mayo Clinic 
• COVID-19 vaccine booster shots: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html 

Vaccine fraud awareness

Be on alert for fraud. While you may be interested in sharing the news of your vaccination, be sure not to post a picture of your CDC vaccination card on the internet or via social media. There may be people who try to use your information as their own.

Learn more about how to protect yourself from fraud