Monitor for side effects
The following side effects are normal and should go away in a few days. Some have reported experiencing more severe symptoms after their required second dose:
On the arm where you got the shot:
Pain- Swelling
- Rash
Throughout the rest of your body:
- Fever
- Chill
- Tiredness
- Headache
Post-COVID-19 Vaccine symptom relief checklist
Side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine such as pain, discomfort, fever, or itchiness are normal. Your Rite Aid pharmacist can help answer any questions about your COVID-19 vaccination or products that can relieve symptoms.
Pain & Fever
After your appointment, take over-the-counter pain relievers / fever reducers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Call your doctor if redness or tenderness in the injection area worsens after 24 hours, or if side effects last more than a few days. If you think you might be having a severe allergic reaction, seek immediate medical care by calling 911. Here’s more information from the CDC about what to do if you have an allergic reaction.
Require a second dose?
If you are receiving a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna), it’s critical that you stay healthy and don’t miss your Dose 2 appointment. Remember, your vaccine is only fully effective after both doses! Your second dose appointment has been scheduled for you based on the recommended time frame for the type of vaccine you received. We will remind you of your appointment date and time through email or text.
More information about your vaccine
The Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccines were all approved to be administered under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). EUA allows the FDA to approve the use of medical countermeasures (MCMs), including vaccines, during public health emergencies.
To understand all the facts about the vaccine you’re about to receive, including the benefits and risks, download and review EUA document for your vaccine. Depending on vaccine availability and if this is your first or second dose, you will receive one of the following vaccines:
Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Download (English) | Download (Spanish)- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (ages 12+) Download (English) | Download (Spanish)
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (ages 5-11) Download (English) | Download (Spanish)
- Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine Download (English) | Download (Spanish)
As of 4/23/21, the pause on the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine has been lifted. Learn more.
Get a COVID-19 test on your time
We are now offering drive-through*, mail-in or at-home COVID-19 tests. Results vary from 15 minutes to 2-5 days, so be sure to plan ahead.
Track your progress with v-safe
V-Safe is a smartphone tool, developed by the CDC, to make sure you’re continuing to feel healthy for the months following your appointment. Check-ins take less than five minutes and will inform experts studying the vaccine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Post-Vaccination FAQs
If you receive a two-dose vaccine, (either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines), you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your second dose.
If you receive a single-dose vaccine, (Johnson & Johnson / Janssen vaccine), you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your single dose.
As of 4/23/21, the pause on the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine has been lifted Learn more.
If you have reached full vaccination (2 weeks after the second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine) then you no longer need to wear a mask in most circumstances, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal or territorial laws or regulations, or local business and workplace guidance. For full context read more on the updated mask guidelines
Herd immunity means that enough people in a community are protected from getting a disease because they’ve already had the disease or they’ve been vaccinated. Experts do not yet know what percentage of people would need to get vaccinated to achieve herd immunity to COVID-19; however, the CDC and other experts are actively studying this and will provide more information as it is available.
For a full list of questions and answers about the vaccination process and what to expect during your appointment, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Protect Your Whole Health with wellness+
At Rite Aid, we’re here for more than just post-vaccination care. We’re here to get you thriving. Sign up for wellness+ rewards today for instant benefits, including:
- Eligibility and availability updates in your state
- Latest news about the Covid-19 vaccine
- Tips about health topics like immunity, stress, and sleep
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