Getting Vaccinated

Who Can Be Vaccinated

Anyone 6 months and over is eligible for COVID-19 vaccine in Arizona. You can find the most current eligibility requirements for the COVID-19 vaccines on the CDC website.

COVID-19 vaccination is safe, effective, and free at many locations. The vaccine benefits anyone who gets it, and is especially important for people who have an increased risk of developing severe illness from COVID-19, such as older adults and people of any age with certain medical conditions, including pregnancy.

See the facts and frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines on our frequently asked questions page and on the CDC’s website.

Preparing for Vaccination

Things to Know

People who are up to date on the COVID-19 vaccine have a lower risk of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19. Vaccines can also help prevent serious illness and death even if you do get COVID-19. If you already had COVID-19, you should still get a COVID-19 vaccine for added protection.

COVID-19 vaccines ARE:

SAFE—Getting a COVID-19 vaccination is a safer way to build protection than getting sick with COVID-19. Millions of people in the United States have received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in US history. Learn more about ensuring COVID-19 vaccine safety in the US on the CDC website.
EFFECTIVE at preventing severe illness from COVID-19 and limiting the spread of the virus that causes it. To receive the most protection, people should receive all recommended doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
FREE at many locations to anyone meeting vaccine eligibility.

Learn more about the benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine on the CDC website.

Where to Get Vaccinated

Vaccination is widely available and can be accessed through pharmacies, community health clinics, local vaccination events, and many providers. Some sites allow you to make an appointment ahead of time, and others may accept walk-ins. You can search for providers and vaccine events here.

What to Bring with You

Getting vaccinated is not only safe and effective – it's FREE at many locations.

Vaccines are widely available. In many cases, you do not need an appointment. At the vaccination site, you:

May be asked a few questions to determine your eligibility and to provide insurance information, if available.
1. If you have insurance, this information allows the vaccinator to bill your insurance for their administration fee.
2. If you do not have insurance, see the provider’s website for the most current information about vaccine availability, eligibility, billing/insurance requirements, and other details.
May be asked to provide identification for proof of eligibility and sign a consent form to be vaccinated. If the person getting vaccinated is under 18, a parent/guardian may need to be present. Check ahead with the provider if you have any questions.

Learn more about getting a COVID-19 vaccine on the CDC website.

When You Get Vaccinated

After getting vaccinated, you will be asked to stay for at least 15 minutes to monitor for any side effects.

Some people have side effects from the vaccine, which are normal signs that their body is building protection. These side effects may affect their ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Some people have no side effects, and allergic reactions are rare.
Common side effects include: Pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea
Learn more about the possible side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine on the CDC website.

To get the most protection, you will need to stay up to date on the COVID vaccine. You should get the recommended additional shots/boosters even if you have side effects after the first shot, unless a vaccination provider or your doctor tells you not to get it.

When to contact your doctor or healthcare provider:

If the redness or tenderness where you got the shot increases after 24 hours
If your side effects are worrying you or do not seem to be going away after a few days

COVID-19 vaccines DO NOT:

Make you sick with the virus
Alter your DNA
Cause fertility problems in men or women

For more facts about the vaccines and FAQs, go to Maricopa's COVID-19 FAQ page or go to CDC’s COVID-19 FAQ page.

If you get a COVID-19 vaccine and you think you might be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, seek immediate medical care by calling 911. Learn more about what to do if you had an allergic reaction after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

v-Safe

Ask your vaccination provider about getting started with v-safe, a free, smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Parents and guardians can enroll adolescents (ages 12 and older) or dependents in v-safe and complete health check-ins on their behalf after COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more about v-safe. WATCH VIDEO »

Vaccination Records

After you receive your first dose of vaccine, you should receive a paper vaccination record that shows which vaccine you received and when. Keep this card in a safe place. Consider taking a picture of your card after your vaccination appointment as a backup copy. Bring this card with you for future COVID-19 vaccine appointments for additional doses needed in your primary series or booster shots, if eligible.

Lost your card? Here’s how to get a replacement.

Making future appointments

Most COVID-19 vaccines require 2 or more doses for the primary series and additional booster doses to stay up to date. Be sure to make plans to keep you vaccines up to date.

Boosters and Third Doses

Booster Shots

Booster doses provide additional protection against COVID-19 and help to strengthen protection against severe disease and hospitalization.

There are different recommendations for booster shots depending on your age and which COVID-19 vaccine you received for your primary series. To learn about the COVID-19 booster shot, visit the CDC's COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters website.

Eligible individuals may choose which vaccine they receive as a booster dose. Some people may prefer the vaccine type that they originally received, and others may prefer to get a different booster. CDC’s recommendations allow for this type of mix and match dosing only for booster shots. CDC does not recommend mixing products for your primary vaccine series.

To see if you're eligible for a booster, use CDC's COVID-19 booster tool.

Additional Dose for Immunocompromised

People who have a moderately to severely weakened immune system benefit from additional doses of mRNA vaccine. The additional doses are to make sure you have enough protection against COVID-19. Studies show that some people who are immunocompromised (weakened immune system) don’t build enough protection after receiving the primary series of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Depending on your age and which primary series you received, visit the CDC website to see the recommended booster doses for moderately to severely immunocompromised people.

Everyone 5 years and older, including immunocompromised people, should get a booster shot. If you are eligible for an additional primary shot, you should get this dose first before you get a booster shot.

Stay Up to Date with Your COVID-19 Vaccines

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective at reducing spread of COVID-19. Public health is continually monitoring its safety and effectiveness. This means the CDC’s COVID-19 vaccine recommendations update frequently.

People are considered up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination if they have received all recommended doses/booster(s).

If you’re up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination,

Keep up to date on Maricopa County’s community levels to see what actions you can take to protect yourself and others in our community.
Get tested if you have symptoms or if you’ve had close contact with someone who has COVID-19.