All of the authorized vaccines work by helping your body produce antibodies. Antibodies are proteins that help fight infections from viruses, bacteria and other germs. Mild symptoms are common as when the body produces antibodies, and are not a sign of infection.
The most common side effects reported 24-48 hours after the vaccine, include:
- Pain at the injection site
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Joint pain
- Mild fever
Drink plenty of fluids to reduce discomfort from the above symptoms. To reduce pain and discomfort where you got the shot, apply a clean cool wet cloth over the area and try to use or exercise your arm. You can also take over the counter medications for pain, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen (e.g., Advil). If you are unsure if you can safely take an over the counter medication, check with your healthcare provider. Side effects are generally mild and go away after a day or two. For the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, they are likely to be more pronounced after the second shot.
As with any vaccine, there is a low chance of allergic reaction. If you have a history of severe allergic reaction to other vaccines, please talk to your doctor about whether you should receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
When to call the doctor —> in most cases, discomfort from fever or pain is normal. Contact your doctor or healthcare provider:
If the redness or tenderness where you got the shot increases after 24 hours
If your side effects are worrying you or do not seem to be going away after a few days
If you get a COVID-19 vaccination and you think you might be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, seek immediate medical care by calling 911.
We encourage all patients to enroll in the CDC’s V-Safe program, which will send you a text for six days to see how you are feeling after getting the vaccine, then once a week for six weeks. The program will also send you a reminder text about your second dose. Visit https://vsafe.cdc.gov/ for more information