- There are 7 documented side effects associated with COVID-19 vaccines, according to the CDC.
- Some of these symptoms may be more likely to affect individuals after their second shot, but doctors are prepping patients for all of them.
- Most symptoms will be naturally relieved within 48 hours, but administrators are tracking those with allergies for added safety.
More states are beginning to expand eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines. In some states, those with pre-existing conditions at any age beyond 16 will soon be able to receive a first vaccine, shortly followed by a booster shot within the same month. Thus far, most Americans have received just one of the many Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccines — often the mRNA vaccine produced by Pfizer or Moderna, both of which have provided data suggesting their vaccines to be over 90% effective at stemming the spread of the novel coronavirus, as reported by the New York Times. That doesn’t mean more vaccines aren’t on the way; the Times is also tracking more than 20 other vaccines in the last stages of its trials, and other vaccines that are on the verge of being widely distributed, including one developed by Johnson & Johnson that won’t require freezers or special storage.
The most vulnerable populations have received vaccines first, with healthcare workers, first responders, essential staff in public-facing roles, and those at long-term medical facilities and residential care communities. And in many states, individuals over the age of 65 have had opportunities to receive vaccines since December; all in all, 10% of the U.S. has received at least one shot, per USA Today. All to say — there’s been plenty of opportunities for health experts to confirm any side effects that were flagged in FDA proceedings, and note any new symptoms that may occur on occasion.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has established guidance for those experiencing any adverse side effects following their vaccinations. Officials are even asking people to report these symptoms in real-time using a system called VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System) so investigators can fully detect any issues. So far, officials have reported the following side effects as the most common for those receiving a Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech shot:
- Pain and/or swelling at the injection site
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Chills
- Fever
- More rarely, you may experience joint pain, swelling, or rash at the injection site
“These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days,” officials clarify. And a majority of people may experience only a mild form of one side effect or another — it is extremely rare for someone to experience all 7 potential vaccine side effects.
When will I experience side effects?
More often than not, it’s likely that you’ll likely experience symptoms after the second dose, explains William Schaffner, M.D., the medical director for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. “The proportion of people who are afflicted with these things together is increased after the second dose… It can be up to 50% or more of people who, at the very least, experience a sore arm, for up to two days,” he says.
While it’s more likely you’ll experience any of the 7 symptoms after your second dose, Dr. Schaffner says that it’s not the case for everyone. You may experience noticeable symptoms after your first shot, and none after the second; you might have no reactions to the vaccine at first, but a noticeable one to your booster shot; or you may not experience any side effects at all. Some individuals may experience one, two, or more symptoms after their first shot and then entirely different symptoms for their second shot — it’s all dependent on the patient, despite any data-driven trend, Dr. Schaffner clarifies.
Should I be concerned about allergies?
In December, there was a highly publicized case where one first responder in the United Kingdom experienced severe allergic reactions after receiving a vaccine. Currently, CDC officials estimate that anaphylaxis will occur in 11 instances per one million doses administered among the public — likely resulting in trouble breathing, swelling, rash, or low blood pressure.
But those who are likely to have these reactions are also likely instructed by healthcare providers to carry epinephrine (often known as an EpiPen), which can immediately reverse these symptoms. As a precaution, most vaccine administers often observe anyone with noted allergies for at least 15 to 30 minutes, Dr. Schaffner says.
“All those people are counseled to be sure if they’re eligible for the vaccine ahead of time — it’s why it’s so important to talk to your doctor,” he adds. “The observation period should hopefully catch all and any of these instances.”
It’s best to speak with your doctor about any concerns regarding a COVID-19 vaccine, especially you have pre-existing health conditions. The only group that is actively being discouraged from receiving a vaccine at this time are those under the age of 16. “The vaccine still hasn’t been studied in those children, and those studies are underway — I would expect to have that information closer to the end of the summer,” Dr. Schaffner tells Good Housekeeping.
How to treat any symptoms:
Most symptoms should be temporary and not majorly impact your day-to-day life, but you’ll want to ensure you’re resting well, eating well, and living a balanced routine in the days after your shots, Dr. Schaffner recommends.
Pain or discomfort may be treated with over-the-counter relief like acetaminophen, especially for any high fevers. CDC officials don’t recommend using pain relievers prior to vaccination, so you should wait until symptoms are affecting you in real-time. Any allergic reaction, including sustained rashes at the injection site, should immediately be reported using the VAERS system and be called into your healthcare provider.
You should reach out to your primary healthcare provider if your pain or fever increases after the first 24 hours has passed, per the CDC. If any of these symptoms become prolonged into numerous days or weeks, seek immediate medical attention.
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