The COVID-19 vaccine will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may experience some side effects, which are common signs that your body is building up a protective barrier. These side effects may interfere with your ability to do everyday activities, but go away after a few days. Some people have no side effects.

Common side effects

On the arm where the injection was given:

• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling

On the rest of the body:

• Tired
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Chills
• Fever
• Nausea

Helpful advice

Talk to your doctor about using over-the-counter medications such as iburofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or antihistamine, to reduce any pain and discomfort you may experience following vaccination. You can use these drugs to reduce side effects after getting vaccinated if there is no other reason why you should not take these medicines as usual.

We do not recommend that you take this medicine prior to getting vaccinated for the purpose of preventing side effects.

To relieve pain and discomfort at the injection site

• Apply a clean, cool, and damp cloth to the area.
• Use or exercise for the arm.

To reduce discomfort caused by fever

• Drink a lot of water.
• Wear light clothing.

If you got a second shot

The side effects after the second shot may be more than the side effects you experienced after the first shot. These side effects are normal signs that your body is building a protective barrier and should go away within a few days.

When to call the doctor

In most cases, discomfort from pain or fever is a normal sign that your body is creating a protective barrier. Call your doctor or health care provider:

• If redness or pain at the injection site gets worse after 24 hours
  If the side effects are of concern to you and do not appear to go away after a few
• days
• If you get COVID-19 vaccine and you think you may have a serious allergic reaction after leaving the clinic, get medical attention right away by calling 911. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine and rare severe allergic reactions.

Note

• Side effects can affect your daily ability to live, but go away after a few days.
• Both Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine and Moderna's COVID-19 Vaccine require 2 injections for the most effective protection. You should get a second shot even if you have a side effect after the first, unless your vaccine provider or doctor recommends not.
• You only need 1 shot of Johnson & Johnson's Janssen (J & J / Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine for the best protection. Learn more about the different COVID-19 vaccines.
• Your body takes time to create a barrier after any vaccinations. People are considered to have had their full immunizations two weeks after a second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna, or two weeks after getting a COVID-19 vaccine requiring 1 shot of J & J / Janssen. You should continue to use all available tools to protect yourself and others until fully immunized.
• Once you have been fully vaccinated with COVID-19, you can again start doing some of the things you had to stop due to the pandemic. Learn more about what you can do with your full immunizations.
• We are still looking at the effect of a vaccine on COVID-19 transmission. Once you have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, you should continue to take precautions in public places such as wearing a mask, keeping 6 feet away from others and avoiding crowded places. people, in poorly ventilated areas and wash hands often. The CDC will continue to update its recommendations as we learn more.
  Printed supporting materials for vaccinated people

What happens after COVID-19 vaccine

PDF copy of the fact sheet that your healthcare provider should give after vaccination