Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

For any pain and discomfort experienced after getting vaccinated, talk to your doctor about taking over-the-counter medicine, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin (only for people ages 18 years or older), or antihistamines.

• It is not recommended to take these medicines before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent side effects.
• People can take these medications to relieve side effects after vaccination if they have no other medical reasons that prevent them from taking these medications normally.
• Ask your child's healthcare provider for advice on using a non-aspirin pain reliever and other steps you can take at home to comfort your child after vaccination.

After a Second Shot or a Booster Shot

Side effects after the second shot may be more intense than the ones experienced after the first shot. These side effects are normal signs that the body is building protection and should go away within a few days.

So far, reactions reported after getting a booster shot are similar to those after the two-dose or single-dose primary shots. Most side effects were mild to moderate.

The most commonly reported side effects were:

• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Pain at the injection site

When to Call a Doctor about a Side Effect

In most cases, discomfort from pain or fever is a normal sign that the body is building protection. Side effects can affect you or your child's ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Contact a doctor or healthcare provider:

• If the redness or tenderness where the shot was given gets worse after 24 hours
• If the side effects are worrying or do not seem to be going away after a few days

If You Have No Side Effects

Reactions after getting a COVID-19 vaccine can vary from person to person. Most people in clinical trials experienced only mild side effects, and some of them had no side effects at all. Those people still had a strong response to the vaccine. Vaccination protects you from severe COVID-19 infection whether or not you have side effects after vaccination.

Reporting Side Effects and Adverse Events

If you would like to report an adverse event, side effect, or reaction from the COVID-19 vaccine, please use the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) .

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