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COVID Vaccine Side Effects

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Featured Experts:

Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H. (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.orghttps://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/profiles/details/lisa-

maragakis)

Gabor David Kelen, M.D. (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.orghttps://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/profiles/details/gabor-kelen)

Published on November 9, 2021

It’s helpful to understand side effects before you get a COVID-19 vaccine. For the vast majority of
people already vaccinated in the U.S. for COVID-19, the side effects, if any, have been mild. Serious or
persistent side effects associated with the approved or authorized vaccines are extremely rare.

Lisa Maragakis, M.D., M.P.H.

(https://www.hopkinsmedicine.orghttps://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/profiles/results/directory/profile/0009313/lis

a-maragakis), senior director of infection prevention, and Gabor Kelen, M.D.

(https://www.hopkinsmedicine.orghttps://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/profiles/results/directory/profile/0003971/ga

bor-kelen), director of the Johns Hopkins Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response, help you

understand side effects associated with the COVID-19 vaccines.

Common Side Effects of COVID Vaccines

After getting vaccinated for COVID-19, you might experience some temporary symptoms similar to
those you might notice when you get a flu shot, such as a sore, swollen arm where you got the shot.
You might run a fever and experience body aches, headaches and tiredness for a day or two. Chills and
swollen lymph nodes can also occur.

These symptoms do not mean you are sick. They signal that your immune system is responding to the
shot and building up protection against the coronavirus.
For the 2-dose vaccines, are side effects different from the
first to second shot?
Both the Pfizer and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations involve two injections separated by several
weeks. For these two-shot vaccinations:

If you had COVID-19 before being vaccinated, the first injection may cause more noticeable side effects
than for people who have not had the coronavirus.

If you have never had COVID-19, you may notice more side effects after the second dose than after the
first dose.

What are COVID booster side effects?

After getting an additional shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, you might experience side effects similar to
those after your second dose of the vaccine.

Rare Side Effects of COVID Vaccines

Myocarditis and the COVID-19 Vaccines

Since April 2021, some people have developed myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and
pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech or
Moderna coronavirus vaccines in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC). The problem occurs more often in adolescents (teens) and young adults, and in
males.

Considering the hundreds of millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses that have been administered, these
reports are very rare. The vast majority of myocarditis or pericarditis cases are mild and resolve
quickly. Myocarditis is more likely to occur as a result of COVID-19 infection than as a side effect of the
vaccines.

Seek medical attention right away if, within a few days of receiving the second injection of an mRNA
COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna), you or your child experience:

Chest pain

Shortness of breath

Feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heartbeat

COVID can cause heart problems, too

Having COVID-19 can also cause heart problems (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-

diseases/coronavirus/heart-problems-after-covid19). One study

(https://www.hopkinsmedicine.orghttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7035e5.htm) published by

the CDC reports that from March 2020 to January 2021, patients with COVID-19 had nearly 16 times the
risk for myocarditis compared with patients who did not have COVID-19.

Blood Clots (TTS) and the Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

Due to potential blood clots following administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the CDC
updated its recommendations (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.orghttps://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-
ncov/vaccines/different-vaccines/janssen.html) in December 2021. The CDC noted that the two mRNA

vaccines, from Pfizer and Moderna, are preferred over the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which remains
available for those who prefer it and for use in certain circumstances.

Women ages 30-49 years, especially, should be aware of the increased risk of this rare adverse event
and should know that other COVID-19 vaccines are available.

If you receive a J&J vaccine, for three weeks, you should watch for possible symptoms of TTS and get
medical help immediately if you have any of these symptoms:

Severe or persistent headaches or blurred vision

Shortness of breath

Chest pain

Leg swelling

Persistent abdominal pain

Easy bruising or tiny blood spots under the skin near the injection site

Is there risk of allergic reaction from COVID-19 vaccine?

According to the CDC, anyone who has a known severe allergy (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any of the vaccine
ingredients should not receive that vaccine.

The CDC says people with allergies to certain foods, insects, latex and other common allergens can
safely receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Those with a history of severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to
injectables or other vaccines should discuss the vaccination with their doctor, who can evaluate and
assess their risk.
COVID-19 Vaccines Are Safe and Effective
Data show that the vaccines are very good at preventing serious or deadly cases of COVID-19 even
after considerable time since completing vaccination. Overall, the benefits of being vaccinated are
much greater than the risks involved.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccine safety (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-

diseases/coronavirus/is-the-covid19-vaccine-safe).

COVID-19 Vaccine
Get information and updates from Johns Hopkins Medicine.

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