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COVID-19 Vaccines
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Infections

COVID-19 Vaccines

COVID-19 is an illness caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and staying up to date with vaccines can help prevent severe outcomes.

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is an illness caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become very sick. You can protect yourself by getting a COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccines might help keep you from getting sick from COVID-19. If you do get sick, the vaccines can reduce your risk for:

  • Needing to go to urgent care or the emergency room
  • Getting severe illness
  • Being hospitalized
  • Dying
  • Getting long COVID

It is important to stay up to date with the COVID-19 vaccines. Contact your health care provider if you do not know when you need another vaccine or if you have other questions about the vaccines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mild side effects like soreness at the injection site, fatigue, or a low-grade fever are common and usually resolve within a day or two. However, if you develop a high fever that persists, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a widespread rash, seek emergency medical care immediately. These are signs of a rare but serious allergic reaction or other complication. For non-emergency concerns, such as persistent mild symptoms, contact your healthcare provider for guidance on management and to determine if further evaluation is needed.
Masking recommendations depend on current public health guidelines, which can vary by location and specific circumstances. While vaccination significantly reduces the risk of severe illness, it does not completely eliminate the risk of transmission, especially with new variants. In settings where community transmission is high, in crowded indoor spaces, or if you are immunocompromised, wearing a well-fitting mask remains an effective additional layer of protection. Always check local health department guidelines for the most current advice on masking.
Protection against severe outcomes like hospitalization or death typically begins to build within a few days to two weeks after vaccination. However, full immune response and optimal protection levels are generally reached about two weeks after the final dose in your current series. It is important to note that while protection against infection may wane over time, protection against severe disease remains robust for a longer period, which is why staying up to date with recommended boosters is critical for maintaining this safety net.
Yes, it is safe and often recommended to receive the flu vaccine and a COVID-19 vaccine during the same visit. Clinical studies have shown that getting both vaccines simultaneously does not reduce the effectiveness of either vaccine and does not increase the risk of serious side effects. This approach is particularly beneficial during the fall and winter months when both respiratory viruses are circulating, as it ensures you are protected against both illnesses with a single trip to the clinic.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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