Need to be vaccinated by Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas? Here are the deadlines

Lanie Lee Cook

3 years ago

FILE - In this Jan. 21, 2021, file photo, a medical staff member prepares the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at Tudor Ranch in Mecca, Calif. COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are coming down again, hospitalizations are dropping, and new cases per day are about to dip below 100,000 for the first time in two months — all signs that the summer surge is waning. Not wanting to lose momentum, government leaders and employers are looking at strengthening and expanding vaccine requirements. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

DENVER (KDVR) — People who want to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or Christmas are running out of time.

It requires planning to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in time for a particular event. Two of the three vaccines available in the U.S. require two doses spread weeks apart and a waiting period once the shots have been administered.

How long does it take to get vaccinated against COVID-19?

The COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. have different dosage timelines. But regardless of which one you take, a person is not considered fully vaccinated until 14 days beyond their final dose.

Here’s how long it takes from a first COVID-19 vaccine dose to full vaccination:

Moderna: six weeks (two doses 28 days apart)
Pfizer: five weeks (two doses 21 days apart)
Johnson & Johnson: two weeks (requires a single dose)

When do I need to get my first dose to be vaccinated in time for the holidays?

To be considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in time for holidays, you must get the first dose of Moderna or Pfizer or a single dose of Johnson & Johnson by the dates listed below:

Thanksgiving (Nov. 25)

Oct. 14: Moderna
Oct. 21: Pfizer
Nov. 11: Johnson & Johnson

Hanukkah (starts Nov. 28)

Oct. 17: Moderna
Oct. 24: Pfizer
Nov. 14: Johnson & Johnson

Christmas (Dec. 25)

Nov. 13: Moderna
Nov. 20: Pfizer
Dec. 11: Johnson & Johnson

Obtenga esta información en español.