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Common vaccine side effects


Some COVID-19 vaccines may be more reactogenic than other vaccines that people are more familiar with. It is important to set this expectation with your patients in case they experience a strong reaction after being vaccinated.

Key Points

  • Common side effects from vaccination are pain, redness, and swelling on the arm where the shot was given, and tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever and nausea throughout the rest of the body. Some people have no side effects.

    • Provide a comparison if it is appropriate for the patient (for example, pain after receiving the shingles vaccine for older adults who have received it).

  • Side effects after the second dose, for vaccines that require two doses, may be more intense than the ones they experienced after the first shot.

  • These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Patients should seek medical care if their symptoms don’t go away.

  • While COVID-19 vaccines may cause side effects, vaccines cannot give someone COVID-19.

  • Side effects are normal signs that the body is building protection.

  • It is not recommended to take over-the-counter medicine – such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen – before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent vaccine-related side effects.

  • Patients should talk to you or to their vaccination provider about any questions they may have about medications they are taking.


Serious, long-term, or unknown side effects

Due to the relative speed with which these vaccines were developed, patients’ concerns about long-term side effects are reasonable and to be expected. For other vaccines routinely used in the United States, the phases of clinical trials are performed one at a time. During the development of COVID-19 vaccines, these phases have overlapped to speed up the process so the vaccines can be used as quickly as possible to control the pandemic. No trial phases have been skipped.

Key Points

  • While COVID-19 vaccines have been developed rapidly, all steps have been taken to ensure their safety and effectiveness.

  • In the United States, the FDA and CDC continue to monitor vaccine safety to make sure even long-term side effects are identified. Globally, many countries are also monitoring vaccine safety.

  • COVID-19 vaccines are being continuously monitored for safety, and the FDA and ACIP will take action to address any safety problems detected.


How many doses are needed and why

The mRNA vaccines, Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, require two shots. The same vaccine brand must be used for both shots. The viral vector vaccine, Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine, only requires one shot.

Key Points

  • The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine and Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine both need two shots in order to get the most protection.

  • People should get their second shot even if they have side effects after the first shot, unless a vaccination provider or doctor has advised them not to get it.

  • Only one shot of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine is needed to get the most protection.

  • If two shots are required, the shots are given several weeks apart and both shots are generally needed to provide the best protection against COVID-19. The first shot primes the immune system, helping it recognize the virus, and the second shot strengthens the immune response.

  • Patients should be advised to set up an appointment for their second dose before they leave.

  • COVID-19 vaccines are not interchangeable with each other.

  • CDC does not recommend one vaccine over the other. Tell your patient they should receive the first vaccine available to them.


Which vaccine to get

Because there are different types of COVID-19 vaccines authorized and recommended, patients may have questions about which vaccine brand they should get.

Key Points

  • All currently authorized and recommend COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and CDC does not recommend one vaccine over another.

  • Patients should get the first vaccine that is available to them. They should not wait for a specific brand.

  • There is vaccination information available to give to your patients, including how to find a vaccination location, what to expect at their appointment, and more.

  • Your patients should know the benefits of getting a COVID-19 vaccine, including what they can start doing again once they are fully vaccinated.


Other Questions Patients May Have about COVID-19 Vaccination If you have additional questions from patients, see Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination for regularly updated answers to common questions.



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