How to get two vaccines ?

When should you get your second shot?

The timing between your first and second shots depends on which vaccine you received. If you received the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, you should get your second shot 3 weeks (or 21 days) after your first. If you received the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, you should get your second shot 4 weeks (or 28 days) after your first. Try to schedule the second dose when side effects will be the least disruptive for you. Of course, the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is a one shot vaccine. No second dose is needed.

What’s the consequence of not getting the second dose?

The main consequence is that the vaccine does not produce the amount of immunity it was designed to provide.

How different is the immunity produced by the two shots compared with just one?

A new CDC study on vaccinated health care workers showed that a single dose of Pfizer’s or Moderna’s COVID vaccine was up to 80% effective in preventing infections. But that number jumped to 90% or more two weeks after the second dose.

Can you still go back and get the second dose if it was not available when you should have had it or if you change your mind after deciding not to get it?

You should get your second shot as close to the recommended 3-week or 4-week interval as possible. However, according to current guidelines your second dose may be given up to 6 weeks (42 days) after the first dose, if necessary.

What if it has been more than 6 weeks since the first shot?

The CDC has not published guidance about what to do if it has been more than 6 weeks since your first shot. However, many infectious disease experts say that even if you’re beyond six weeks it’s a good idea to get that second shot. It will increase your immunity, although probably not as much as if it was given on time.