Vaccines for COVID-19: What to expect at your vaccination
On this page
- Before you get to your appointment
- Tips for a comfortable vaccination experience
- Possible side effects and reactions
- After getting vaccinated
Before you get to your appointment
How to get vaccinated near you
Before you arrive at your vaccination appointment:
- talk to your health care provider or local public health authority about any questions or concerns you may have about vaccination
- wear a short-sleeved or loose-fitting top
- don't skip a meal before going to the clinic
- check with you local health authority for what identification or documents you might need to bring with you
- bring a well-constructed, well-fitting mask with you
Regardless of where you receive your vaccine, measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 should be taken. Locations providing vaccination should be:
- requiring masks
- physical distancing
- practising hand hygiene
- cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces
There may be multiple places where you can receive your vaccine. Check with your public health unit, workplace, health care provider or pharmacy. Choose the location most comfortable and convenient for you.
Learn more about:
- Approved COVID-19 vaccines
- Recommended COVID-19 vaccines
- COVID-19: Contact your province or territory
- Respiratory infectious diseases: Mask use for reducing the spread
Tips for a comfortable vaccination experience
Some people may experience discomfort, pain or stress from vaccination. But there are a number of techniques you can use to make the vaccination more comfortable.
Some helpful strategies include:
- using the CARD system (comfort, ask, relax, distract)
- sit upright during vaccination
- tell the person who's vaccinating you right away if you:
- feel dizzy or faint
- have a history of fainting with vaccines or other medical procedures
- let your arm feel loose and relaxed
- use deep breathing to help you relax and feel calm
If you're concerned about the vaccine hurting, you may want to ask if numbing cream is available.
Learn more about:
- How to reduce fear of and pain from needles for children and youth
- Immunize Canada: CARD system for vaccination (comfort, ask, relax, distract)
Possible side effects and reactions
After getting vaccinated, it's common and normal to have temporary side effects. These can last a few hours to a few days after vaccination.
This is the body's natural response, as it's working hard to build protection against the disease.
Learn more about:
- COVID-19 vaccine safety and side effects: Common side effects
- COVID-19 vaccine safety and side effects: Allergic reactions
After getting vaccinated
The person vaccinating you will let you know where to wait and for how long after vaccination. The usual wait time is about 15 minutes. This allows time for staff to watch you for possible reactions or side effects, including an allergic reaction. Let someone at the vaccination site know if you're experiencing any symptoms following vaccination.
After vaccination, ask for a record of the vaccine you received and keep your COVID-19 vaccines up to date.
Learn more about:
Follow public health measures
Public health measures remain an important part of our response to COVID-19. Regardless of your vaccination status, you should continue to follow public health measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including variants of concern.
Learn more about:
- COVID-19: Individual public health measures
- Respiratory infectious diseases: Mask use for reducing the spread
- COVID-19: Improving indoor ventilation
- COVID-19: Contact your public health authority