Important update: Healthcare facilities
CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more
UPDATE
Given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, CDC has updated the guidance for fully vaccinated people. CDC recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students, and visitors to K-12 schools, regardless of vaccination status. Children should return to full-time in-person learning in the fall with layered prevention strategies in place.
UPDATE
The White House announced that vaccines will be required for international travelers coming into the United States, with an effective date of November 8, 2021. For purposes of entry into the United States, vaccines accepted will include FDA approved or authorized and WHO Emergency Use Listing vaccines. More information is available here.

Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines

Safety of COVID-19 Vaccines
Updated Nov. 3, 2023

What You Need to Know

  • COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective.
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, hundreds of millions of people in the United States received COVID-19 vaccines under the most intense safety monitoring in U.S. history. 
  • CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other federal agencies continue to monitor the safety of the updated COVID-19 vaccines and will share information with the public as it becomes available. 
  • CDC recommends everyone ages 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine to protect against serious illness. 

Everyone 6 months and older should receive a COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. The safety of COVID-19 vaccines has been rigorously monitored and evaluated since their emergency use authorization (EUA) in December 2020. The updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for 2023-2024 are manufactured using a similar process to the previous vaccines.

Learn more about EUAs in this video.

As with all vaccines authorized or approved for use in the U.S., CDC, FDA and other federal agencies will continue to closely monitor the safety of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines using multiple vaccine safety monitoring systems and will share information with the public as it becomes available.

Common Side Effects

Some people have side effects after COVID-19 vaccination, while others might have no side effects. Side effects tend to be mild, such as soreness at the injection site and fever, and should go away within a few days. Learn more about common side effects after COVID-19 vaccination.

Adverse Events (Health Problems) Are Rare

In rare cases, people have experienced more significant adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination. Any health problem that happens after vaccination is considered an adverse event. An adverse event can be caused by the vaccine or can be caused by a coincidental event not related to the vaccine, such as an unrelated fever, that happened following vaccination.

Benefits of COVID-19 Vaccination Outweigh the Risks

COVID-19 vaccination continues to be the best way to protect against serious illness. The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks. CDC, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other federal agencies continue to monitor the safety of the updated COVID-19 vaccines and will share information with the public as it becomes available.  

Have you experienced a side effect following COVID-19 vaccination?

Please report it to VAERS. In addition, enrolling yourself or your dependent in V-safe allows you to easily report to CDC how you are feeling after getting a COVID-19 vaccine.