Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine

After a second shot or a booster shot

Side effects after the second injection may be more intense than those after the first injection. These side effects are normal signs that the body is protecting itself and should disappear within a few days.

To date, the reactions reported following a booster dose are similar to those following the two-dose or single-dose primary injection. Fever, headache, fatigue, and injection site pain were the most commonly reported side effects, and overall, most side effects were mild to moderate. However, as with the primary two or one dose vaccinations, serious side effects are rare but can occur.

When to call the doctor

Side effects may affect you or your child's ability to carry out everyday activities, but they should go away in a few days.

In most cases, discomfort from pain or fever is a normal sign that the body is building up protection. Contact a doctor or healthcare provider:

If the redness or tenderness at the injection site worsens after 24 hours
If the side effects are worrying or do not seem to go away after a few days

If you or your child are receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and think you or your child may have a serious allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, seek medical attention right away by calling 911. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines and rare severe allergic reactions.

If you have no side effects

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

report side effects

Register yourself or your child after vaccination v-sure. V-safe you can use your smartphone to share how you or your child are feeling after the COVID-19 vaccination. V-safe uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized post-COVID-19 vaccination health checks. V-safe also reminds you to get extra COVID-19 doses if needed. It's free, easy to use and totally confidential. learn more about v-sure.

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).external symbol