Maybe you've already received a dose, or some of your friends and family members have. As more and more people become eligible for the COVID‑19 vaccine, we want to help you make the best decisions for yourself and your loved ones.

We're doing everything we can to keep communities healthy and strong; that includes protecting against illnesses like COVID‑19. Planned Parenthood is here — as always — to help you make informed decisions about your health.

Is the COVID‑19 vaccine safe?

Yes. We trust the FDA-authorized COVID‑19 vaccines and see them as important tools to prevent severe disease and end the pandemic. The COVID‑19 vaccine is safe and effective and can help ensure everyone's safety and well‑being — especially the people hit hardest by the pandemic.

We understand that trust in the medical system has been broken in some communities that Planned Parenthood health centers serve — Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities, in particular, based on the legacy and present‑day reality of medical mistreatment and abuse. The COVID‑19 vaccines were carefully tested before they were authorized. Many people of different ages, races, ethnicities, and with different medical conditions participated in the studies.

Does the COVID‑19 vaccine have side effects?

For some people, COVID‑19 vaccines may cause mild side effects, especially after the second dose. Possible side effects include soreness in your arm, headaches, feeling tired, chills, fever, and nausea. These usually don't last longer than a day or two. You can take antihistamines and pain medications like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin to help relieve discomfort from side effects if it's safe for you to take these medicines normally.

Some people get a red, itchy, swollen, or painful rash where they got the shot (sometimes called "COVID arm"). The rash can pop up a few days to more than a week after you got your shot, and it can be pretty big. You can take an antihistamine or pain medicine to help with discomfort. If this happens to you, you should still get your second shot when it's scheduled. Tell your provider that you got this rash or "COVID arm" — they may give you the second shot in your other arm.

Side effects do NOT mean that you have COVID‑19, and the vaccine can't give you COVID‑19. In fact, these reactions are a sign that the vaccine is working and your immune system is doing what it's supposed to do: building up protection against COVID‑19.

If I get the COVID‑19 vaccine, do I still have to wear a mask and socially distance?

It takes a few weeks after you finish getting your vaccine(s) for your body to build immunity against COVID‑19 — that means it's still possible to get sick from COVID‑19 between, or right after, your vaccines. Scientists are still learning exactly how well the vaccine protects you and others, so it's important to keep taking steps to prevent the spread of COVID‑19, even if you're vaccinated, like wearing a tight-fitting mask over your nose and mouth, and practicing social distancing.

After 2 weeks from your final shot, it's safe for you to do certain things like be indoors without masks or social distancing with other fully vaccinated people and unvaccinated people from one household who aren't at a high risk of getting sick from COVID‑19. The same advice applies to dating and sexual activity: talk to your partner about your vaccine status and avoid getting intimate if they are at high risk of getting sick from COVID‑19. Have more questions about COVID‑19 and your sexual health? Check out this page for more info!

Will Planned Parenthood offer the vaccine?

In some states, Planned Parenthood is partnering as a community health care provider to help distribute vaccines to those who are eligible. In other states, Planned Parenthood is not participating in vaccine distribution but is educating patients and community members about the vaccine.

Every Planned Parenthood health center is doing what they can to keep their community healthy and safe: through offering remote and telehealth services, providing reliable information about protecting against COVID‑19, or in some cases, providing COVID‑19 testing and/or the COVID‑19 vaccines.

How will it be determined who can get the vaccine?

In the places where Planned Parenthood health centers are providing vaccines, they will follow the state's and/or local public health guidance on vaccine eligibility and prioritization. Vaccine distribution varies state by state, with each state and/or local health department determining who's eligible and which populations get priority in receiving the vaccine.

Our top priority is making sure everyone is safe and healthy; if you choose to get vaccinated, you can trust Planned Parenthood to provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your own body so you can live the life you want.

Have more questions about the COVID‑19 vaccine? Head to our vaccine page to learn more.

Thanks for staying safe and keeping others safe,

Your friends at Planned Parenthood