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By now, you’ve likely heard about the potential side effects of COVID-19 vaccines. It’s important to understand that reactions vary widely—no two people experience the vaccine in the same way. However, being well-prepared for your appointment can make a significant difference, especially in minimizing or preventing discomfort. Here’s a guide on what to expect and how to manage side effects before and after receiving your COVID-19 vaccine.
How frequently do side effects occur with the COVID-19 vaccine?
Before diving deeper, it’s worth noting that side effects aren’t unique to the COVID-19 vaccine. Similar reactions can happen after a flu shot or other vaccinations, and they indicate that your body is responding appropriately. In the case of the COVID-19 vaccine, these reactions mean your immune system is activating defenses: increasing blood flow to circulate more immune cells and raising your body temperature to combat the virus, as explained by the World Health Organization (WHO).
When someone experiences mild to moderate side effects after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, it’s common for doctors or loved ones to reassure them that this is not only normal but also a positive sign. It doesn’t indicate that the vaccine is unsafe—it simply means the vaccine is working as intended.
But does this imply that individuals who don’t experience side effects should worry that the vaccine didn’t work? Not at all. According to the WHO, the absence of side effects doesn’t mean the vaccine is ineffective. It simply highlights that everyone’s response is unique. While it would be ideal to control or prevent side effects, our bodies will react in their own way.
That said, there are ways to alleviate the discomfort caused by side effects (more on that shortly). Dr. Joel Kammeyer, an infectious disease specialist and assistant professor at The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, emphasizes the importance of keeping things in perspective when considering the likelihood of post-vaccination pain or discomfort.
He explains to Mytour, 'We should acknowledge that over 80% of participants in vaccine trials reported side effects, with fatigue and injection site reactions being the most common. Side effects are the norm, not the exception.'
What are the potential side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
The CDC states that the most frequently reported side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines typically subside within a few days. These include:
Swelling, redness, and discomfort at the injection site
Fever
Headache
Fatigue
Muscle aches
Chills
Nausea
In extremely rare cases, some individuals may experience a severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, to the COVID-19 vaccine. If this occurs, call 911 and seek emergency medical care immediately.
Preparing for the Vaccine
Vaccinated individuals often take great pleasure in sharing their vaccination experiences, including any side effects, and offering advice to those yet to be vaccinated. However, with so many tips circulating, it can be challenging to determine which advice to follow and which to disregard.
Indeed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides some guidance on this matter—though the word 'some' is key here. This leaves many wondering what aspects of COVID-19 vaccine side effects we can actually manage. Here’s the latest information, based on insights from the CDC and two infectious disease experts.
Is it safe to take pain relievers before your vaccination appointment?
The CDC is unequivocal about one thing: avoid using over-the-counter medications—such as ibuprofen, aspirin, acetaminophen, and antihistamines—before your vaccination in an attempt to prevent side effects, including allergic reactions. The reason is that it’s still unclear how these drugs might impact the vaccine’s efficacy. If you’re on a regular medication regimen, consult your doctor beforehand.
Can staying well-hydrated help prevent side effects?
Humans often feel a sense of helplessness, particularly in health-related scenarios. In such moments, we tend to offer advice, with staying hydrated being a common suggestion. This tendency extends to our search for ways to minimize side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine.
Interestingly, the EMT who administered my second vaccine dose advised me to drink as much water as possible—without discomfort—to lessen the intensity of potential side effects. While dehydration during side effects might worsen how one feels, is overloading with water before and after the vaccine truly a form of liquid defense? Kammeyer remains skeptical.
He states, 'Staying hydrated is generally a good practice, but it’s unlikely to prevent side effects. While proper hydration doesn’t cause harm, I wouldn’t expect it to reduce or eliminate side effects.'
The CDC notes that having a drink or snack might help prevent fainting after vaccination, but this refers to normal hydration levels—there’s no need to overdo it.
Is there a best time to schedule your vaccination appointment?
In most parts of the country, scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine isn’t as flexible as booking other medical appointments. Those who’ve navigated the online booking process know how quickly slots fill up, often leaving little choice in timing.
Suppose you had the luxury of choice. Is there an optimal time of day to receive the vaccine to minimize side effects? Dr. Keith Armitage, an infectious disease expert at University Hospitals in Cleveland and medical director of the Roe Green Center for Travel Medicine & Global Health, states that he’s 'not aware of any specific time that offers an advantage.'
Similarly, Kammeyer notes that scheduling your vaccine at a particular time of day won’t help in preparing for or reducing side effects. 'From the original vaccine trials, we know many side effects appear within 24 hours, but some may take up to a week to manifest,' he explains.
That said, if you’re worried about feeling tired after the shot, you could book your appointment for the end of the day, allowing you to rest without disrupting work. And speaking of work...
Should you plan to take a sick day after your vaccination?
While not everyone has the privilege of taking a paid sick day to manage potential vaccine side effects, is it a good idea for those who do?
Armitage notes that a considerable number of individuals feel unable to work after receiving their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. In fact, many healthcare professionals schedule their vaccinations before a day off. 'Around one-third of people develop a fever, and roughly half of them feel too unwell to work, so planning a sick day is reasonable,' Armitage explains.
Managing Side Effects After Vaccination
While we’ve covered what can (and can’t) be done to prevent COVID-19 vaccine side effects, what if you’re among the 80% experiencing some form of discomfort? Here’s how to address the most commonly reported issues.
Arm Pain and Soreness
As one of the most frequent side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, you might be curious about ways to alleviate pain or soreness in the arm where the shot was administered. The CDC suggests two approaches:
Place a clean, cool, damp washcloth over the affected area
Engage in gentle arm movement or exercise
What about massaging the arm at the injection site? This method has been recommended for pain relief with other vaccines, but could it be effective for the COVID-19 vaccine? Here’s Kammeyer’s perspective:
There are no official guidelines on massaging the injection site to alleviate arm pain. This wasn’t studied in the vaccine trials, but it’s highly unlikely that massaging would affect the vaccine’s efficacy. Frequent arm movement post-injection might be more beneficial than massage, though massage is unlikely to cause harm. If it provides relief, I see no issue with it.
Fever
If you develop a fever after your COVID-19 vaccine, the CDC advises staying well-hydrated and dressing lightly. But does this mean excessive hydration before the vaccine could have prevented this side effect?
Armitage disagrees, emphasizing that hydration is a standard practice for managing fever. 'Whenever you have a fever, staying hydrated is important because fever can lead to fluid loss,' he explains. 'I can’t think of any other reason why fluids would help prevent vaccine side effects.'
Fatigue
With so much happening in your body after vaccination, fatigue is a common side effect. Should you rest when you feel tired, or push through and stick to your regular sleep schedule? The choice is yours.
Kammeyer explains, 'Fatigue will come and go regardless. The best approach depends on the individual. Napping is fine, and so is maintaining a regular sleep routine—whatever works for you. The fatigue will subside in a few days, no matter what you do.'
But what about the idea that resting when unwell is essential for recovery? Does this mean that if someone feels fatigued after their vaccine and doesn’t rest, it could reduce the vaccine’s effectiveness?
No. Armitage clarifies that skipping a nap and continuing with your day won’t reduce the vaccine’s effectiveness or harm your health. 'There’s no harm in pushing through if that’s what someone prefers,' he explains. 'While they might feel more tired temporarily, there’s no long-term downside.'
Lumps
While discussing side effects, it’s worth noting that if you notice a new lump or tenderness under your arm, near your armpit, or on your neck after the COVID-19 vaccine, don’t panic. It’s likely a swollen lymph node, indicating your body is preparing to defend against what it perceives as SARS-CoV-2.
The CDC reports that 11.6% of vaccine recipients experienced swollen lymph nodes after their first dose, and 16% after their second. In most cases, swelling appeared two to four days post-vaccination. Doctors have noted that these lumps typically form on the same side of the body where the shot was administered.
Dr. Holly Marshall, division chief of Breast Imaging at University Hospital Cleveland Medical Center, explains in a statement, 'This is a normal part of your body’s immune response to the virus. The swelling may indicate that your body is producing antibodies as intended by the vaccine.'
Is it safe to use pain relievers, and if so, which types are recommended?
Yes, it’s safe to use pain relievers to manage arm pain, fever, muscle aches, and other side effects—but there are some considerations. The CDC states that over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, or antihistamines are acceptable for managing side effects, provided you have no medical conditions that restrict their use. As always, consult your doctor if you have concerns or questions about taking these medications.
Although the CDC approves ibuprofen (e.g., Advil or Motrin), acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol), or aspirin (e.g., Bayer) for vaccine side effects, many individuals are advised by their doctors or vaccine administrators to use Tylenol exclusively.
You might have come across recent headlines suggesting that taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) after vaccination could weaken the immune response. (Ibuprofen and aspirin fall under this category.) Does this mean Advil should be avoided?
Many of these reports were based on a study published in the Journal of Virology, which found that NSAIDs used to treat COVID-19 in mice might reduce inflammation and antibody production. While the authors stress that more research is needed to confirm if this applies to humans, their findings suggest NSAIDs could potentially affect the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. However, this is preliminary research conducted only on mice.
Armitage confirms that individuals experiencing side effects after their second dose of an mRNA vaccine, such as Pfizer or Moderna, can safely use NSAIDs or acetaminophen for relief.
