Getting vaccinated
What to bring when you get vaccinated
A mask. It is strongly recommended for unvaccinated people to wear a face covering. Some vaccination locations may still require use of a face covering for all visitors, regardless of vaccination status.
Your health insurance information if you have it. If you do not have health insurance, that is OK. You do not need health insurance to get the vaccine.
Legal ID if you have one and feel comfortable sharing it. You do not need a legal ID to get the vaccine.
If you are getting a second dose, an additional dose of mRNA vaccine for people with certain immunocompromising conditions, or a booster dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, bring your vaccination card if you have it.
Doses of COVID-19 vaccine
Some COVID-19 vaccines require one dose and some require two doses. There are also recommendations for people with certain immunocompromising conditions to receive an additional dose, and for certain people to receive a booster dose of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Your health care provider will let you know which vaccine you are getting. If you get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you only need one dose. You do not need to make a second appointment.
Two doses are needed for the COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. The time between the doses depends on the vaccine you are getting. The Pfizer vaccine should be given 21 days (three weeks) apart and the Moderna vaccine should be given 28 days apart (one month).
Second dose for two-dose COVID-19 vaccines
It is very important that someone gets both vaccine doses, the same product for each dose, and that the doses are given at the correct time apart. The vaccine works best after two doses. If someone only gets one dose, they may not be as well protected against COVID-19. If it has been longer than 21 or 28 days (depending on which vaccine product you got) before you get your second dose, try to get your second dose as soon as you can. The second dose boosts your immunity to COVID-19 and provides longer time of protection. Even if it is beyond the recommended amount of time (21 or 28 days), go get your second dose. You will not have to start over.
We recommend that you schedule an appointment for your second dose when you get the first dose. Make sure you write down the appointment date somewhere you will remember.
Additional dose of mRNA vaccine for people with certain immuncompromising conditions
CDC now recommends that people with certain immunocompromising conditions that received the mRNA vaccine get an additional dose of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. We have clear data to show that people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised may not develop a good immune response from two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. An additional dose may improve protection. There is currently not enough data to recommend that people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should receive an additional dose at this time.
People should talk to their health care provider about their medical condition, and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.
Find more information on COVID-19 booster doses under the "Booster doses" section.
Record of vaccination (e.g., vaccination card)
You should receive a card when you get your COVID-19 vaccine that has the vaccine product you got and the date you were vaccinated.
The vaccine card is for your own record. The State of Minnesota will not require proof of vaccination for events such as traveling, concerts, or other activities.
Hold on to your vaccine card between shots (if you got a two-dose vaccine) and after you are fully vaccinated. Bring the card with you to your second appointment so that both doses can be recorded on the same card.
Keep your card in a safe place with your other records.
Take a picture of your card on your phone.
You do not need to laminate your vaccine card, but if you do, wait until you are fully vaccinated.
MDH cannot provide a replacement CDC vaccine card. If you lose your card:
It is OK if you lose your card. If you lose it between shots, ask for a new one when you get your second dose and ask them to record the first dose on it.
If you have not made an appointment for your second dose and need the information about your first dose, you can request your vaccination record from the health department to see which vaccine product you got and when you need your second shot. Go to Find My Immunization Record.
Your health care provider can also look up your vaccination record to help determine when you should get your second dose.
If you are fully vaccinated, you can request a copy of your vaccination record, which includes the same information as the vaccine card, at Find My Immunization Record.
If you were vaccinated in another state or country, go to Find My Immunization Record under “What if my MIIC record is missing immunizations?”
Lost Your Vaccine Card? (PDF) Fact sheet with steps you can take if you lose your vaccine card.
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