COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects: Injection Site Pain, Fatigue, and More
Key takeaways:
The Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax COVID-19 vaccines can help prevent severe illness. But injection site pain, fever, and muscle soreness are a few common side effects you may experience. They’re usually mild and short lived.
Allergic reactions, myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation), and pericarditis (heart lining inflammation) are rare, but possible. Research shows that the benefits of COVID vaccination outweigh these risks.
Over-the-counter medications — such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) — can help manage several side effects. Getting plenty of rest and drinking fluids also helps.
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Table of contents
COVID-19 is continuing to evolve. New variants cycle in and out, and case surges can still pose an issue. Thankfully, COVID vaccines can help protect you and your loved ones from serious illness and complications — including hospitalization and death.
As people continue to receive updated COVID vaccines over time, many will likely have questions about them. Side effects are an especially common concern. Most people won’t have serious problems after receiving a COVID vaccine. But you may experience mild to moderate side effects for a couple of days.
While COVID vaccine side effects can vary, it’s important to know what to expect before you roll up your sleeve.
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What is the COVID vaccine?
The COVID vaccine is an intramuscular (IM) injection that helps your immune system learn how to fight against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID. Vaccines imitate an infection in your body without making you sick.
In the U.S., there are currently three vaccines that protect against COVID. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are fully FDA approved, and the Novavax vaccine is authorized for emergency use (and is slated for full approval). The Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID vaccine is no longer available in the U.S.
How many vaccine doses you need to stay up to date depends on a few factors — such as how old you are and if you have a weakened immune system. Recommendations can change as vaccines are updated to match the current COVID variants. Reach out to your primary care provider or pharmacist for the latest recommendations.
Do COVID vaccines have side effects?
Yes. As with any vaccination, side effects are possible. Mild, short-lived side effects can happen after getting any of the COVID vaccines.
Mild side effects
Common COVID vaccine side effects include:
Injection site pain, redness, and swelling
Fever
Fatigue
Nausea
Headache
Muscle pain
Chills
Irritability or decreased appetite (toddlers)
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For most people, these side effects are mild and should go away on their own in about 2 or 3 days.
But keep in mind: If you do have side effects, they’re a good sign that the vaccine is working. The COVID vaccines are designed to teach your body how to fight coronavirus in the future. Side effects are the result of a normal, healthy immune system responding to the vaccine.
It’s also good to know that side effects do not mean that you have COVID. This is still true even though some of the symptoms may be the same, like fever or fatigue. You can’t get COVID from the vaccines. That’s because these vaccines don’t actually contain the virus that causes COVID.
Good to know: There have been some reports of temporary menstrual cycle changes following COVID vaccination. Studies show women may experience slightly more bleeding during their menstrual cycle after getting vaccinated. Thankfully, this typically resolves within one to two cycles.
Serious side effects
Most people don’t experience serious side effects after getting a COVID vaccine. But they can still happen. Severe allergic reactions, myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation), and pericarditis (heart lining inflammation) are examples of rare, but serious, side effects.
Severe allergic reaction symptoms are possible with any vaccine, including COVID vaccines. They happen to about 5 people out of every 1 million COVID vaccine doses administered. That’s why you may be asked to wait 15 to 30 minutes after getting your vaccine; your immunizer wants to make sure you’re feeling OK. Be on the lookout for symptoms like difficulty breathing, facial swelling, and hives.
Myocarditis and pericarditis symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. Most myocarditis cases after vaccination have been linked to the mRNA vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) in male adolescents and young adults. They have also been reported with Novavax. But keep in mind that myocarditis and pericarditis are more common after a COVID infection than from vaccination.
Experts say the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks for most people. But if you believe you have experienced a vaccine side effect, you can report it to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.
Which vaccine has the fewest side effects?
There’s no clear consensus about which COVID vaccine causes the fewest or most side effects. They’re widely seen to be comparable overall. The CDC doesn’t widely recommend one vaccine brand over another, either.
In general, the J&J vaccine was linked to the most risks and side effects. But it hasn’t been available since May 2023.
Are there any long-term side effects?
Questions about the long-term safety of COVID vaccines are normal. And as more people receive vaccinations and boosters, the CDC and FDA continue to watch closely.
Current data suggests that long-term effects from vaccinations are rare. Serious side effects usually show up within a couple of months after vaccination. The COVID vaccines have been available for years now — and billions of doses have been given — without any sign of long-term effects.
It’s important to know that catching COVID is often more dangerous than vaccine side effects. COVID can cause long-term health problems, even in mild cases. And studies suggest vaccination reduces the risk of getting long COVID.
How can you prepare for the COVID vaccine?
Try to plan ahead. Although side effects are mild for many people, they may still interrupt your day. If possible, consider receiving your updated 2024-2025 vaccine dose before having 1 to 2 days off from work.
Side effects are a sign that your immune system is responding well to the vaccine. Though you may feel under the weather for 1 to 2 days, vaccination is your best defense against COVID and its complications. With this in mind, a couple of rough days may be a small price to pay when it comes to protecting yourself, your loved ones, and your community from a potentially serious illness.
Have what you need at home to take care of yourself if you have a fever or don’t feel well. If your arm feels sore, applying a clean, cool, wet washcloth can help. Rest, fluids, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications — such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) — can help manage side effects too.
Good to know: It’s best to avoid taking the above OTC medications right before your vaccine. It’s possible they could affect how well your COVID vaccine works. Reach out to your primary care provider or pharmacist with any questions about taking OTC pain and fever medications.
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The bottom line
COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective to receive. This is true for the original versions of the vaccine and the updated 2024-2025 formulations. Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax vaccines may cause mild side effects that typically resolve within a couple of days. Injection site pain, fatigue, and headache are a few examples of common COVID vaccine side effects. OTC medications can help manage most of these issues. Serious COVID vaccine side effects are rare.
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References
Center for Systems Science and Engineering. (2023). COVID-19 dashboard. Johns Hopkins University and Medicine.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Allergic reactions after COVID-19 vaccination.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Clinical considerations: Myocarditis and pericarditis after receipt of COVID-19 vaccines among adolescents and young adults.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Safety of COVID-19 vaccines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Selected adverse events reported after COVID-19 vaccination.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Myocarditis and pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). CDC recommends updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 and flu vaccines for fall/winter virus season.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). COVID-19 vaccine safety reporting systems.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine safety.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Interim clinical considerations for use of COVID-19 vaccines in the United States.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (2021). Feature article: Long-term side effects of COVID-19 vaccine? What we know.
Darney, B. G., et al. (2023). Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination on menstrual bleeding quantity: An observational cohort study. British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Pharmaceutical Technology. (2024). Novavax seeks FDA approval for updated Covid-19 vaccine.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). FDA approves and authorizes updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines to better protect against currently circulating variants.
Xie, Y., et al. (2024). Postacute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Pre-Delta, Delta, and Omicron Eras. New England Journal of Medicine.
