Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Who Should Get a COVID-19 Vaccine?

Sanford Health recommends the updated COVID-19 vaccine for everyone ages 6 months and older. Staying up to date on your COVID-19 vaccination is the most effective way to protect yourself and others from illness. As the virus changes, vaccines are updated to give you the best protection from currently circulating strains.

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Vaccination is especially important for those at an increased risk of severe illness, hospitalization and even death from COVID-19.

This includes:

  • Adults ages 65 years and older
  • Infants less than 6 months old (can receive protection from COVID-19 through maternal vaccination)
  • Infants and children ages 6 months to 2 years old
  • Those who have certain medical conditions

Which Medical Conditions Are Linked to Serious COVID-19 Illness?

If you are undergoing chemotherapy or immunotherapy for cancer treatment, are the recipient of an organ or bone marrow transplant, or have one of the following medical conditions, you are at an increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19. The more health conditions a patient has, the higher the risk.

  • Diabetes
  • HIV infection
  • Individuals undergoing treatment for cancer with chemotherapy of immunotherapy
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Obesity
  • Coronary artery disease
  • People with immune diseases who are treated with immunomodulating agents
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Recipients of solid organ or bone marrow transplants

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is an illness caused by a virus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2. The virus is very contagious and can spread quickly between those in close contact. It often causes symptoms that can feel like a cold, the flu or pneumonia. Many people may experience only mild symptoms but some people experience severe illness.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do not have symptoms.

Symptoms may change with new COVID-19 variants and can vary depending on vaccination status.

COVID-19 Vaccines

Why get vaccinated?

Infectious diseases are unpredictable and can have lifelong consequences, including diseases that cause only mild infections or no symptoms. 

Vaccines teach your body how to defend itself from disease without the dangers of a full-scale infection and give you protection that can last a lifetime. Vaccines use your body’s natural defense system (immune system) to help you safely develop immunity against a disease.

Learn more about how vaccines work here.

How effective are the COVID-19 vaccines?

Those who stay up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines experience greater protection against illness and hospitalization compared to those who do not receive the vaccine.

Are the vaccines safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding?

Yes. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to become pregnant or who might become pregnant in the future.


  • COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is safe and effective. It also builds antibodies that can help protect the baby until they can be vaccinated, at 6 months old.
  • Receiving a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy can help protect babies younger than 6 months from severe COVID-19 and hospitalization.
  • If you are pregnant or were recently pregnant, you are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
  • If you have COVID-19 during pregnancy, you are at increased risk of complications that can affect your pregnancy and baby, including preterm birth or stillbirth. You are also more likely to need hospitalization, intensive care and the use of a ventilator. Severe COVID-19 illness can lead to death.
  • A COVID-19 vaccine will help prevent or decrease the harm of contracting COVID-19. These vaccines cannot give you the illness.
  • COVID-19 vaccines are not associated with fertility problems in women or men.

Individuals who are pregnant experience the same vaccine side effects as those who are not pregnant. Common side effects can include:


  • Pain, swelling and redness on the arm where the shot was given.
  • Tiredness, headache and muscle pain
  • Chills
  • Nausea
  • Fever

COVID-19 vaccines are also safe and effective for women who are breastfeeding. Studies have shown that women who are breastfeeding and have received COVID-19 vaccines have antibodies in their breast milk, which could help protect their babies. Learn more here.

 

Are the vaccines safe for children?

Yes. Vaccine doses are adjusted to be age appropriate for children and go through rigorous testing for safety and effectiveness. The side effects are minimal and similar to what a child may experience from other vaccinations.

Can I get COVID-19 after receiving the vaccine?

Getting the vaccine helps protect you from getting sick or severely ill with COVID-19, but no vaccine is 100%.

It’s also possible to get sick with COVID-19 just before or after vaccination. It typically takes around two weeks to get full protection after getting vaccinated. 

What are the side effects?

COVID-19 vaccinations may cause mild side effects. Some people have no side effects.

The most common side effects are injection site pain, soreness and swelling. These side effects typically go away after one or two days.

Do I have to pay for my COVID-19 vaccination?

COVID-19 vaccinations are typically covered by health insurance plans. Other options are available for those who don’t have health insurance. Children can get a COVID-19 vaccine at no cost through the Vaccines for Children Program. You can also search for assistance at sanfordhelps.com.

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