At a glance
- V-safe is one of CDC’s vaccine safety monitoring systems. V-safe lets you share with CDC how you or someone you care for (such as, a dependent) feels after getting a COVID-19 or RSV vaccine.
- V-safe check-ins typically take less than two minutes to complete.
- Your personal information in V-safe is protected and confidential. You can opt out at any time.
- Your participation in V-safe helps CDC monitor the safety of COVID-19 and RSV vaccines.
Overview
V-safe is one of CDC 's systems that monitors the safety of vaccines in the United States. V-safe originally launched in December 2020 to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. V-safe now lets you share how you or someone you care for (such as, a dependent) feels after getting a COVID-19 or an RSV vaccine.
How it works
After you sign up, V-safe will send you confidential check-ins via text message or email to ask how you feel after vaccination. Completing each check-in and sharing how you feel—even if you don’t experience side effects after vaccination or don’t know if a side effect was caused by the vaccine—helps CDC better understand the safety profile of vaccines.
Because of V-safe system updates, users who signed up before October 2023 need to create a new V-safe account.
Data and research
V-safe data can help CDC understand side effects experienced shortly after vaccination.
V-safe may provide data on vaccinated people beyond those described in clinical trials. V-safe provides data on vaccinated groups who were not included in clinical trials, such as pregnant women and young children. V-safe data have been included in more than 30 scientific publications.
Additional support V-safe data provides
CDC and FDA monitor vaccine safety using different systems that provide complementary information.
V-safe allows you to report to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). If you report seeking medical care after vaccination, V-safe will ask you to complete a VAERS report describing your side effects or health problems. Information you provide in V-safe can be used to start your VAERS report, and if you choose to start a report, some of your V-safe information (such as your name) will automatically be added. Before submitting your VAERS report, you will be able to review it and add more details about your vaccination experience.
Vaccines V-safe currently monitors
Information for participants
Who can participate
- Anyone aged 6 months and older who received a COVID-19 vaccine in the last 42 days or 6 weeks (or parents and caregivers on behalf of someone who did).
- Adults 50 years and older who received an RSV vaccine in the last 42 days or 6 weeks (or caregivers on behalf of someone who did).
- Pregnant women 16-49 years old who received an RSV vaccine in the last 10 weeks.
How to participate
Sign up for V-safe and share your experiences after COVID-19 or RSV vaccination.
Notes for participants
- You can opt out of V-safe and its check-ins at any time.
- Your personal information in V-safe is protected so it stays confidential and private.
- V-safe is not an official record of being vaccinated.
- V-safe does not give medical advice.
- V-safe does not schedule vaccination appointments.
- You may not receive messages from V-safe or be able to access health check-ins when outside the United States and its territories.
V-safe materials and resources
Related publications and materials
Publications using V-safe data
V-safe information sheets available in English and Spanish Jan. 15, 2025
V-safe posters available in English and Spanish Jan. 15, 2025
Promotional videos
Contact us
Call or Email CDC-INFO
CDC-INFO is available Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET (closed on federal holidays). Call 800-232-4636 (800-CDC-INFO) or TTY 888-232-6348, or email CDC-INFO for detailed assistance. English and Spanish languages available.