COVID-19 Vaccines that Require 2 Shots

If you're getting a Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, it takes 2 shots to get the best protection possible. You should get your second shot, even if you experience side effects after the first shot, unless a vaccination provider or your doctor tells you not to have it.

Timing your second shot

The time between your first and second intake depends on which vaccine you received.

If you've received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, you should get your second shot 3 weeks (or 21 days) after your first.
If you've received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, you should get your second shot 4 weeks (or 28 days) after your first.

You should Get your second shot as close as possible to the recommended 3-week or 4-week interval. However, if necessary, your second dose can be given up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose. You should not get the second dose early. There is currently limited information on the effectiveness of receiving your second shot earlier than recommended or later than 6 weeks after your first shot.

However, if you get your second shot of COVID-19 vaccine sooner or later than recommended, there is no need to restart the vaccine series. This guide may be updated as more information becomes available.

Schedule your second shot

If you need help planning your vaccination appointment for your second shot, contact the place where your first appointment was made. If you have any problems or questions about using a vaccination management or planning system, contact the organization that put you on the system. This could be your state or local health department, employer, or vaccination provider.

Vaccination card and your second shot

At your first vaccination appointment, you should have received a vaccination card showing which COVID-19 vaccine you received, the date you received it and where you received it. Bring this vaccination card to your second vaccination appointment.
If you did not receive a COVID-19 vaccination card at your first appointmentCheck the vaccination provider's website where you got your first shot or your state health department to find out how to get a card.
If you've lost your vaccination card or don't have a copyContact your vaccination provider directly to access your vaccination record.
- If you cannot contact your vaccination provider directly, contact your state health department's vaccination information system (IIS). For information on the status of IIS, see the CDC website. Vaccination providers must report COVID-19 vaccinations to their IIS and related systems.
If you have logged into v-safe or VaxText after your first dose of vaccine, these tools will provide you with access to your vaccination information.
- If you've made every effort to find your vaccination information, cannot get a copy or a replacement of your vaccination card, and still need a second try, contact a vaccination provider.
Bring your vaccination card with you for your second shot This will allow your provider to fill in the information about your second dose.
Keep your vaccination card in case you need it for future use. After your second shot, take a photo of your vaccination card as a backup.

When you are fully vaccinated

People are considered fully vaccinated:

2 weeks after their second shot in a 2-dose series, like the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
2 weeks after a single vaccine like the Janssen vaccine from Johnson & Johnson

they are Not fully vaccinated if:

Less than 2 weeks have passed since your 1-dose intake
Less than 2 weeks have passed since your second shot of a 2-dose vaccine
You still need to have your second dose of a 2-dose vaccine

After you are fully vaccinated you may be able to do some things that you stopped doing due to the pandemic. Find out more about what to do once you've been fully vaccinated.