If you need a copy of your vaccine record, you should first contact the place where you were vaccinated.
You can also access your records through IDPH's new immunization portal, Vax Verify. Vax Verify now includes the SMARTTM Health Card to provide an easy way to share COVID-19 vaccination status. The SMART™ Health Card allows users to download a QR code, which individuals can use to easily confirm a their COVID-19 vaccination status at businesses, events, and other locations. The QR code can be downloaded or kept in Apple Wallet and presented for COVID-19 vaccination verification.
The verification system follows best practices to protect confidential health information. In order to download proof of vaccination, residents will go through a brief, one-time identity verification process to gain access to their immunization history. After the verification process, individuals can see their own record in the Illinois Comprehensive Automated Immunization Registry Exchange (I-CARE).
For more information on the Vax Verify portal, please visit IDPH'S Vax Verify web page. You can access the Vax Verify portal directly.
Everyone ages 12+ should get a booster shot!
If you are 5 months out from a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine series or 2 months out from a Johnson & Johnson shot, it is highly recommended that you receive a booster shot. The CDC has updated their guidance and recommends people receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Moderna/Pfizer) over Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine.
Studies show after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, protection against the virus and the ability to prevent infection with variants may decrease over time. Data show that COVID-19 boosters help broaden and strengthen protection against Omicron and other SARS-CoV-2 variants. Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people’s protection against infection and severe outcomes.
If you are 18 years or older you may choose which COVID-19 vaccine you receive as a booster shot. Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines) are preferred in most situations. Although mRNA vaccines are preferred, J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine may be considered in some situations. 12-17 year olds can get the Pfizer booster.
COVID-19 vaccines are very effective at protecting you from getting severely sick even if you get infected. Booster doses are recommended to combat waning immunity and the Omicron variant.
Get a printable flier on what it means to be Up To Date on your vaccines!
After testing positive for COVID-19, you will need to postpone getting vaccinated until your symptoms have resolved and you've met the criteria for discontinuing isolation. This time can vary by person, depending on your symptom severity and the treatments you may have received.
Someone with an asymptomatic COVID-19 case can get vaccinated as soon as their isolation ends — 5 days after testing positive. You don't need a negative viral test before vaccination
One caveat: If you received monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you will need to wait 90 days before getting the vaccine.
Yes. Everyone is still considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-shot series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as the J&J/Janssen vaccine. However, people are encouraged to stay up to date with their vaccines and receive a booster dose when eligible.
An “additional dose” refers to people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised receiving an additional dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna). This is because they may not have received adequate protection from their initial 2-dose vaccine series. The additional dose is considered to be part of their primary series. A “booster dose” is a supplemental vaccine dose given to people when the immune response to a primary vaccine series was adequate but is likely to have decreased over time. Booster doses are given for many vaccines to "boost" the immune response (e.g. tetanus or TDaP). Additionally, booster doses of the Moderna vaccine are half of the dose used in the primary series. Click here to learn more.
Yes. COVID-19 vaccines are working well to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death, even against the widely circulating Delta variant. However, public health experts are starting to see reduced protection, especially among certain populations, against mild and moderate disease.
A: Current data indicates that side effects following the additional dose are similar to those after the second dose. Common side effects are generally mild such as localized pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, and fatigue, headache, and low-grade fever. Serious adverse events are rare.
A: Yes. You can get a COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccinations like a flu or shingles vaccine at the same time or close together.
Along with getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing a well-fitting mask over your mouth and nose in indoor public settings or crowds is crucial to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Experts recommend you upgrade your mask to a high filtration respirator if you want optimal protection.
