COVID-19 vaccine side effects: What they are, why they’re normal, and how to prepare
Written by Shannon Randall // Originally published on Kaiser Permanente Thrive Together // Photo by Hakan Nural on Unsplash
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Each day, more people are getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination is the last step we need to protect ourselves and put the pandemic behind us. But some people may still have questions or concerns about vaccine side effects. Here’s what you need to know about possible COVID-19 vaccine side effects — including how to prepare and why you can expect some side effects.
Possible side effects from COVID-19 vaccines
Understanding vaccine side effects can help you feel more prepared. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you might feel side effects in your arm or throughout the rest of your body after getting the COVID-19 vaccine.1
Throughout your body:
Tiredness
Nausea
Headache
Chills
Muscle pain
Fever
In your arm:
Pain
Redness
Swelling
In the clinical trials and reports from those who have been vaccinated, side effects usually lasted for 1 to 2 days.
Side effects are a normal sign of building immunity, but don’t always occur
It’s important to remember that these side effects are normal. They're a sign that your body is building immunity. The side effects don’t come from the virus, but from your immune system’s response to fight the virus. And if you don’t have any side effects, that doesn’t mean the vaccine isn’t doing its job. With all vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccines, everyone’s immune response varies.
Craig Robbins, MD, physician co-lead for Kaiser Permanente’s national COVID vaccine program, explains, “From what we’ve seen in the clinical trials and now in the general population, most side effects from the COVID-19 vaccinations are temporary and feel like cold or flu symptoms. Knowing that these side effects are expected and go away within a few days should hopefully help everyone feel more prepared.”
Simple ways to prepare for the COVID-19 vaccine
Before you get the vaccine, consider these steps to help prepare for any side effects:
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated before getting the vaccine, especially if you tend to feel lightheaded when you get a vaccine or have your blood drawn.2 Staying hydrated is always good for your health. You should also try to avoid alcohol the night before your vaccine appointment. Drinking too much alcohol can cause dehydration.
Get sleep. Studies have shown that sleep after vaccination strengthens your body’s immune response.3 Aim to get 7 hours of sleep a night.
Take care of yourself. Be good to your body and take care of yourself on the day or days that you get your vaccine. If you have pain in your arm, you can use an ice pack for relief. If you have chills, a warm shower or heated blanket may feel nice. It can be an emotional moment of relief and joy when you get your COVID-19 vaccine, so it’s important to be kind to yourself.
Consider pain relief meds. Keep ibuprofen like Advil or acetaminophen like Tylenol on hand to help with body aches or a fever.4 But don’t take pain medications before getting your COVID-19 vaccine, since that may reduce the vaccine’s effectiveness.
Talk to your doctor about specific concerns
If you have concerns about getting the vaccine because of a health condition, talk to your doctor. People with a history of allergic reactions also should talk to their doctor before getting the vaccine. And the CDC recommends that you shouldn’t get a second dose of the vaccine if you have a severe allergic reaction after getting the first dose.5
If you experience side effects like persistent headaches, blurred vision, shortness of breath, leg swelling, or other long-lasting pain, call our 24/7 advice line. If you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911.
Benefits of protection are worth it
Remember that all vaccines carry risks for side effects. But the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine outweigh the risks of possible side effects. COVID-19 is a serious illness — and anyone can develop life-threatening complications if they get it. Fortunately, we know the vaccine side effects are normal, expected, and only temporary. And clinical trials have shown that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
According to Dr. Robbins, “When you get your COVID-19 vaccination, you’re helping to protect yourself and your loved ones from a severe case of COVID-19, hospitalization, or death. The benefits of protection are worth it and certainly outweigh any temporary side effects you may feel.”
We recommend getting the COVID-19 vaccine or booster as soon as possible
Choosing to get vaccinated is the best thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones against COVID-19.
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This article reflects the most current information available at the time of publishing.
1“Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine,” cdc.gov, accessed November 30, 2021.
2“Covid-19 Vaccine: What You Need to Know When You Get the Shot,” wsj.com, January 23, 2021.
3“Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine? A Good Night’s Sleep Will Help,” usnews.com, January 20, 2021.
4Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.
5“What to Do if You Had an Allergic Reaction After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine,” cdc.gov, accessed November 30, 2021.