COVID 19 Vaccine Resources for the United Center

Home COVID-19 Vaccinations for Seniors and People with Disabilities

The City of Chicago is working to integrate mobile home health care vaccination services to reach individuals who are unable to go to the City’s COVID-19 vaccination sites to get vaccinated, please visit the Protect Chicago In Home webpage for more information.

Protect Chicago - COVID-19 VACCINES 5 THINGS TO KNOW

SAFETY

The safety of COVID-19 vaccines is a top priority. No steps are skipped during the clinical trial process.

HOW COVID-19 VACCINES WORK

COVID-19 vaccines do not use a live virus and cannot give someone COVID-19.

BENEFITS

Getting vaccinated may help keep you from getting infected with COVID-19 and may also protect people around you.

NUMBER OF DOSES NEEDED

The first COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) will require two shots, and everyone will have to receive both shots to get the most protection the vaccine can offer.

AVAILABILITY AND COST

While supply is limited, certain groups (such as healthcare workers) will be prioritized to receive the vaccine first. The vaccine will be offered at no cost to all Chicagoans who want it as soon as larger quantities become available.

GETTING NACK TO NORMAL IS GOING TO TAKE ALL OUR TOOLS

• Wear a mask.
• Stay 6 feet from others, and avoid crowds and gatherings.
• Wash hands often.
• Get vaccinated when it’s your turn.

If we use all the tools we have, we stand the best chance of getting our families, communities, schools, and workplaces “back to normal” sooner.

WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE GETTING A COVID-19 VACCINE

BEFORE VACCINATION

• See if COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for you right now and make an appointment.
• Learn more about the benefits of getting vaccinated, different types of COVID-19 vaccines, and how they work.
• Consult with your doctor if you have a history of significant allergic reactions to vaccines, food, or medicine.

DURING VACCINATION

• Do not take any pain medication before your shot.
• Wear a mask and stay 6 feet away from others while inside and in lines.
• You will receive a vaccination card or printout that tells you what COVID-19 vaccine you received, the date you received it, and where you received it.
• You will receive a paper or electronic version of a fact sheet that tells you more about the specific COVID-19 vaccine you are being offered.
• You will be monitored on-site for 15 minutes. If you have a history of significant allergic reactions, you will be observed for 30 minutes following vaccination.

AFTER VACCINATION

• You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. Although these side effects may be unpleasant for 1-3 days, they are not dangerous. The vaccine does not contain a live virus and cannot give you COVID-19.

• Make an appointment and get your second shot as close to the recommended 3-week or 1-month interval as possible. You need 2 shots to get the most protection.
• Register for v-safe at vsafe.cdc.gov and help keep COVID-19 vaccines safe. V-safe is a smartphone-based tool that provides personalized health check-ins. Through v-safe, you can quickly tell CDC if you have any side effects after getting the COVID-19vaccine. Depending on your answers, someone from CDC may call to check on you and get more information.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER GETTING A COVID-19 VACCINE

CELEBRATE YOUR BODYBUILDING PROTECTION 

You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. Although these side effects may be unpleasant for 1-3 days, they are not dangerous. The most common side effects are fever, chills, tiredness, or headache. At the injection site, you may experience pain, redness or swelling. Even if you have no side effects, your body is still building protection against COVID-19. 

REDUCE PAIN OR DISCOMFORT 

• Talk to your doctor about taking over-the-counter medicine. 
• Apply a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the area where you got the shot. 
• Use or exercise your arm. 
• Drink plenty of fluids and dress lightly. 

If your side effects are worrying you or do not seem to be going away after a few days, contact your doctor. If you think you are having a severe reaction, call 911. 

GET YOUR SECOND DOSE 

Don’t forget to schedule your next appointment before leaving. You need 2 shots to get the most protection. You should get your second shot: •

• for the Pfizer-BioNTech 3 weeks (or 21 days) after your first shot, 
• for the Moderna 1 month (or 28 days) after your first shot. 
• Do not switch to a new brand of vaccine for your 2nd dose 

You should get your second shot as close to the recommended 3-week or 1-month interval as possible. However, there is no maximum interval between the first and second doses for either vaccine. You should not get the second dose earlier than the recommended interval. 

REGISTER AND USE V-SAFE 

Go to vsafe.cdc.gov and get started. V-safe is a smartphone-based tool that checks in on you after your COVID-19 vaccination. Your participation helps keep COVID-19 vaccines safe — for you and for everyone

CONTINUE TO FOLLOW PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE

Not everyone is able to get vaccinated right away, so it’s still important to protect yourself and others