Now offering
Schedule an appointment for the vaccine in select stores based on local eligibility guidelines.
No cost with insurance or through federal program for the uninsured.
Now offering
the FREE*
COVID-19 Vaccine
Schedule an appointment for the vaccine in select stores based on local eligibility guidelines.
No cost with insurance or through federal program for the uninsured.
Whether you are vaccinated or hoping to be soon, share what you can’t wait to be #OneStepCloser to.
Learn where the COVID-19 vaccine is now available at CVS Pharmacy®, by appointment only.
Depending on the manufacturer, a COVID-19 vaccine can require either one dose or two doses. When you're eligible, you may schedule your first and second doses online. Check back for updates on additional locations as they become available.
Note: If you only need to schedule a second dose because you've already received the first dose, we can help you complete your vaccine.
Select the state or territory where you reside to determine eligibility and schedule an appointment.
Select a state to access their current vaccine guidelines.
What others are saying
“The vaccine experience was wonderful! Staff was very professional and courteous...and the vaccine was painless!”
CVS Customer, Georgia
“The process of getting the vaccine was smooth and easily completed.”
CVS Customer, Texas
“Everything was SO well organized! Very easy for an 85 yr. old senior.”
CVS Customer, Pennsylvania
About the COVID-19 vaccines
- Currently two types of vaccines are available: mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna - two doses) viral vector (Johnson & Johnson's Janssen - one dose) vaccine.
- All three vaccines teach your body how to make antibodies to the spike protein unique to the COVID-19 virus so you are protected against infection.
- Two weeks after your last dose, your immune system will be able to recognize and protect against COVID-19.
- Regardless of which vaccine you receive, all authorized vaccines will help protect you against serious illness caused by COVID-19.
Vaccine side effects
- Minor side effects may occur for one to two days and are normal signs that your body is building protection.
- Common side effects may include pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle and joint pain or chills and fever.
- The vaccine does not contain the virus so it cannot give you COVID-19.
- Our pharmacists are available to answer your questions and give guidance on over-the-counter medications to treat side effects.
How to prepare for your vaccine
- Prior to your vaccination, make sure you are well rested and hydrated.
- It is not recommended you take over-the-counter medicine such as ibuprofen, aspirin or acetaminophen before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent vaccine-related side effects.
- You may take these medications after receiving your vaccine to help with side effects
- Wear a loose-fitting shirt with short sleeves to allow access to your arm.
Guidelines for those fully vaccinated
- You may gather indoors with other fully vaccinated people.
- Also, you no longer need to get tested before or after domestic travel, or to self-quarantine after domestic travel.
- Continue to wear a mask and social distance in public to protect those who have not yet been vaccinated.
- While the risk is low, if you experience symptoms of COVID-19, isolate from others, and contact your health care provider.
We'll help keep you informed about the COVID-19 vaccine.
- The authorized vaccines have been shown to prevent severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19
- mRNA vaccines train our bodies to trigger an immune response to the disease, and don't affect or interact with our DNA in any way
- Vaccine development process was informed by decades of research and large-scale clinical trials with thousands of participants
- They may include pain at the injection site, tiredness, headache, muscle and joint pain or chills and fever
- Remember, the vaccine does not contain the virus, so it cannot give you COVID-19
Why get the COVID-19 vaccine from CVS Health®?
Why get the COVID-19 vaccine from CVS Health®?
- We've administered millions of COVID-19 tests to date
- We have years of experience safely administering vaccines, such as those for flu, shingles and pneumonia
- We offer easy and convenient online scheduling options so you can schedule both required doses at the same time
Why get the COVID-19 vaccine from CVS Health®?
Why get the COVID-19 vaccine from CVS Health®?
- We've administered millions of COVID-19 tests to date
- We have years of experience safely administering vaccines, such as those for flu, shingles and pneumonia
- We offer easy and convenient online scheduling options so you can schedule both required doses at the same time
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What to expect when getting the COVID-19 vaccine at CVS
View TranscriptGet the details of the steps to schedule and receive your COVID-19 vaccination at a CVS Pharmacy location
Why get the COVID-19 vaccine from CVS Health®?
- We've administered millions of COVID-19 tests to date
- We have years of experience safely administering vaccines, such as those for flu, shingles and pneumonia
- We offer easy and convenient online scheduling options so you can schedule both required doses at the same time
Why get the COVID-19 vaccine from CVS Health®?
- We've administered millions of COVID-19 tests to date
- We have years of experience safely administering vaccines, such as those for flu, shingles and pneumonia
- We offer easy and convenient online scheduling options so you can schedule both required doses at the same time
With every COVID-19 vaccination administered, we get one step closer to a better tomorrow. Share what you can't wait to be #OneStepCloser to.
CVS Health® is proud to be a Founding Partner of the Ad Council's COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative
Here's what you can do to prepare.
Please continue to wear your face covering, practice physical distancing and wash your hands frequently to help reduce transmission.
When you're eligible, schedule your first and second doses online or through the CVS Pharmacy app.
COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions
As part of the vaccine rollout, CVS Health is currently working with several states through the federal partnership with the CDC or through a direct partnership with the state. Frequently check vaccine availability on this page for the latest updates on when members of these prioritized groups can make online appointments for vaccinations at CVS Pharmacy locations in their area. Timing and eligibility will vary from state to state, according to state guidelines.
CVS Health immunizers include pharmacists, pharmacy interns and trained pharmacy technicians, as well as other qualified health care professionals depending on each state’s specific regulations. All CVS Health immunizers are certified according to company requirements, trained in the administration of immunizations, and hold an active CPR certification.
The first COVID-19 vaccines to become available are not yet approved for use in young children. The clinical trials conducted to date by Pfizer tested its vaccine’s safety and efficacy in patients 16 years of age and older. Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson)’s vaccines were tested in patients 18 years of age and older. Researchers are conducting additional studies on how the vaccines affect younger children. CVS Health is monitoring those trials and will follow the guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the age of individuals eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines.
Patients are able to see which CVS Pharmacy location has which vaccine and appointment availability on cvs.com before scheduling. Depending on which vaccine you receive, you will be prompted to schedule a second dose if needed.
Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have two doses, with the second dose coming a few weeks after the first. Pfizer-BioNTech’s second dose comes three weeks after the first, and Moderna’s comes four weeks later. The second dose gives people a strong, long-lasting immunity. While these two vaccines include a second dose, the Janssen vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) requires one dose.
At this time, our select CVS Pharmacy locations that are currently offering the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible populations have either the Moderna, Pfizer or Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine - not more than one type at this time. Patients will be able to see which CVS Pharmacy location has which vaccine and appointment availability on cvs.com before scheduling. Depending on which vaccine you receive, you will be prompted to schedule a second dose if needed.
Given limited supply of all three types of COVID-19 vaccines at this time, we recommend that you receive whichever shot is available to you now, based on your state’s eligibility and supply, to best protect you and your community against COVID-19.
As part of the scheduling process on CVS.com, patients are asked to attest that all information provided during appointment set up is truthful and accurate. Some states will also require the collection of IDs to verify eligibility and we are complying with that requirement. We reserve the right to cancel appointments if it is determined that information provided for establishing eligibility is not truthful.
The COVID-19 vaccine is no cost with insurance or through a federal program for the uninsured.
An appointment will be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccination at CVS Pharmacy. Customers will be able to easily schedule their vaccinations—both the initial shot and the second dose (if required)—at CVS.com or through the CVS app. Anyone requiring assistance with the scheduling tool or without access to a computer or mobile device will be encouraged to contact CVS Customer Service.
The FDA has authorized three COVID-19 vaccines which have been shown to be safe and effective as determined by data from the manufacturers and findings from large clinical trials. This data demonstrates that the known and potential benefits of this vaccine outweigh the known and potential harms of becoming infected with COVID 19. CVS Health is only administering vaccines that have been authorized for use by the FDA and our COVID-19 vaccination services are being conducted in compliance with CDC guidance for safe delivery of vaccines.
According to the CDC, you may have some side effects following the COVID-19 vaccine, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. Common side effects include pain and swelling on the arm where you got the shot, and fever, chills, tiredness and headache throughout the rest of your body.
CVS Health immunizers are trained in the safe administration of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use by the FDA, including identifying and treating allergic reactions. The vaccination procedures include a patient screening checklist to assess the risk of reaction. All patients are monitored for 15 minutes after administration of the injection, or longer for people with a history of severe allergic reactions. Our immunizers are equipped with appropriate medications, such as epinephrine and antihistamines. Further information on COVID-19 Vaccines and allergic reactions can be found here.
The Federal Pharmacy Partnership, announced last November and activated on February 2, 2021, includes 21 pharmacy chains, including CVS Health. Under this program, pharmacy partners will receive direct distributions of vaccine allowing them to offer COVID-19 vaccines in communities across the country. Patient eligibility for the vaccine is determined by states, with most states prioritizing health care workers, seniors, and certain categories of frontline essential workers in the initial phases.
Given the extremely limited supply, however, the number of pharmacies offering vaccine in each state is very limited initially. As supply increases, the number of states, as well as the number of pharmacies within each state, where CVS Health is able to provide the vaccine will increase. Assuming adequate supply of the vaccine and supplies, CVS Health has the capacity to administer 20-25 million doses a month.
The Federal Pharmacy Program is different from the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care that was activated in December. As part of the long-term care partnership, the federal government directly distributes vaccine to CVS Health, Walgreens, and select Managed Health Care Associates pharmacies. Those pharmacies are conducting onsite clinics at more than 75,000 facilities across the country, often delivering vaccines at patients’ bedsides.
The criteria for which states can receive the vaccine, timing and vaccine supply is determined by the federal government, and eligibility is determined by the state. In some cases, the federal or state government may activate the vaccination program with different pharmacy partners in different states.
The federal government, which is purchasing the vaccine from manufacturers, determines the allocation of supply provided to each state and the timing of vaccine supply. Patient eligibility to receive the vaccine is determined by the state. In some cases, the federal or state government may activate the vaccination program with different pharmacy partners in different states.
We understand making an appointment to receive a COVID-19 vaccine can be a frustrating experience, given the limited number of vaccines that have been allotted to CVS Health by the state and federal governments. In most (if not all) states, the number of individuals who are eligible to receive the vaccine under the state’s rules far outnumber the state’s available doses. As we receive additional shipments of vaccines, more appointments will open up on CVS.com, so we encourage you to continue to check for an open appointment at a CVS Pharmacy in your area.
On March 8, 2021, the CDC issued its first set of recommendations on activities that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely resume.
We’ve aligned with updated Federal Retail Pharmacy Program directive by making appointments available to pre-K through 12 educators and staff and childcare workers in the states where we currently offer COVID-19 vaccines as part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.
*FOR COVID-19 VACCINE COST: The COVID-19 vaccine is currently available at select CVS Pharmacy® locations and is no cost with most insurance plans or through a federal program for the uninsured.
*FOR SIDE EFFECTS: All CVS Health® immunizers will be certified according to company requirements and trained in the administration of immunizations, and will hold an active CPR certification.
*FOR CDC RECOMMENDATIONS AND SOURCING: Learn more about CDC data sources, exclusions and estimates.
*FOR VACCINE ADMINISTRATION GUIDELINES: All CVS Health certified immunizers are trained in the administration of vaccines and hold an active CPR certification.