Adverse reactions following vaccination
Possible adverse reactions following vaccination
Local reactions at the injection site were found to be fairly common after vaccination with the COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine BNT162b2 during clinical trials. Over 80% of trial participants reported pain at the injection site. This occurred within 7 days after the injection and resolved after a few days
In clinical trials, the most frequently reported systemic reactions in participants were tiredness (> 60%), headache (> 50%), muscle aches (> 30%), chills (> 30%), joint pain
COVID-19 vaccination programme: Information for healthcare practitioners
(> 20%) and a raised temperature (pyrexia) (> 10%). These symptoms were usually mild or moderate in intensity and resolved within a few days after vaccination. If required, symptomatic treatment with analgesic and/or anti-pyretic medicinal products
(eg paracetamol-containing products) may be used .
Mild pain and tenderness at the injection site was also common with AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, occurring in 88% of 18-55 year olds, 73% of 56-69 year olds and 61% of people aged 70 years or over; similar levels were reported after each dose. Short lived systemic symptoms including fatigue and headache were also common but
decreased with age. These reactions were unusual after the second dose .
Mild fever
(>38°C) was recorded in the first 48 hours for around a quarter of younger participants
and but was not reported in those over 55 years of age or in any age group after the
second dose . Prophylactic use of paracetamol was found not to affect the immune
response to this vaccine .
All side effects should be reported to their Doctor