You may have heard horror stories about the side effects and symptoms from someone that has already gotten vaccinated. While those side effects may be a cause of concern for you, it’s no guarantee that you will suffer from the same side effects. Much like with COVID-19, everyone reacts differently. Some people may have severe symptoms, while others may not experience any symptoms. Whatever the case, it helps to be prepared. This is your guide to what to expect after you get your COVID-19 vaccine.
What are some common side effects of a COVID-19 vaccine?
After your vaccination, you may experience pain, redness, or swelling on the arm where you got the shot. Some people may have fever, chills, tiredness, headache, or body aches. These side effects are more common after the 2nd dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, but they can also happen after the 1st dose.
What should you do if you experience side effects?
Most side effects will go away on their own and aren’t a cause for concern. However, you should contact your primary care doctor or cancer doctor if the place on your arm where you got the shot gets more red or painful after 24 hours.
Side effects may feel like the flu, but they should go away in a few days. If other side effects are worrying you and do not seem to be going away after a few days, discuss these side effects with your doctor as well as potential treatment options.
Your doctor may prescribe you over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to help relieve some of the side effects.
If you have a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, call 911 right away to get medical care.
A severe reaction may include:
- Trouble breathing
- Hives (large, raised red patches or rashes) on your skin
- Swollen lips and tongue
Although the side effects you may experience after receiving your first or second dose may differ, in most cases they are completely