The first dose is followed by a second three weeks later. Author: Jerry Carnes Updated: 8:17 AM EST December 14, 2020 ATLANTA — ATLANTA – The yearly flu shot requires one encounter with a needle, but the much anticipated COVID-19 vaccine will require two shots. Late Friday, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. The first shipments left the Pfizer plant in Michigan Sunday. The FDA is looking at a possible emergency use declaration on a vaccine produced by Moderna. Both vaccines will require two doses. According to the CDC, the first shot should be followed by a second three weeks later.