Side Effects of COVID-19 Vaccines
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), any vaccine can cause side effects; however, for the most part, these are mild and last a few days. As indicated by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), these side effects go away on their own and are a sign that the body is developing immunity against the disease. Getting a vaccine is much safer than getting the disease the vaccine prevents.
The most common side effects include pain, swelling, or redness where the injection was given, mild fever, chills, tiredness, fainting, headache, and muscle and joint pain. Serious side effects can occur, but are extremely rare. Of every million vaccine doses administered, one or two people may have a serious allergic reaction that may include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, a rapid heartbeat, a severe skin rash, and dizziness and weakness.
If the vaccine causes a serious allergic reaction, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. If you have side effects that worry you or that do not go away, contact your vaccine or healthcare provider. Immunization side effects can be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a program that ensures vaccines remain safe. Additionally, in case of serious problems due to the administration of the vaccine, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) and the Countermeasure Injury Compensation Program (CICP) may offer financial assistance.
According to the CDC, in the specific case of the COVID-19 vaccine, its side effects also usually disappear within a few days and adverse events are rare. Side effects may vary from person to person. Some people may experience some discomfort, and others may experience effects that affect their ability to carry out daily activities. For this reason, the vaccine provider monitors people who receive the COVID-19 vaccine for at least 15 minutes after receiving the injection. The body develops immunity even if the person does not experience side effects.
The effects of the COVID-19 vaccine may vary for different age groups:
- From 6 months to 3 years: pain at the injection site, swollen lymph nodes, irritability or crying, drowsiness, and loss of appetite.
- From 4 to 17 years: pain, swelling, and redness where the injection was given, tiredness, headache, muscle and joint pain, chills, and swollen lymph nodes.
- 18 years and older: pain, swelling, and redness where the injection was given, tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.
For children experiencing side effects, you can refer to the Vaccine Information Sheet provided by your provider for helpful tips to alleviate them. They may use a cool, damp cloth to reduce redness, pain, and/or swelling at the injection site. If there is a fever, they can use a sponge with warm water or ask their healthcare provider for advice on using pain-relieving medications. Offer fluids frequently. Keep an eye on your child for a few days, and if you notice anything that worries you, call your healthcare provider.
For adults, they can also use a cool, damp cloth on the area where the injection was given. Plus, they can rest. To reduce discomfort from fever, they can wear comfortable clothing, drink plenty of fluids, and take over-the-counter medications.