From the start of the pandemic, the federal government (under the umbrella of Operation Warp Speed) worked diligently to make a COVID-19 vaccine available as soon as possible. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carefully reviewed all safety data from clinical trials and authorized the emergency vaccine use (EUA) after determining the expected benefits of the vaccine outweigh potential risks.
All COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized for emergency use in the US were tested in large clinical trials to ensure they meet safety standards. Over 30,000 people participated in each trial in order to determine how the vaccines offer protection to people of different ages, races, and ethnicities, as well as those with different medical conditions. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) reviewed all safety data before recommending each COVID-19 vaccine for use. (Learn how ACIP makes vaccine recommendations.) The FDA and CDC are continuing to monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, to make sure even very rare side effects are identified.
Washington, Oregon and Nevada joined California’s COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup in October 2020, becoming the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup (WSSSRW). This workgroup is made up of nationally-acclaimed scientists with expertise in immunization and public health, and has concurrently and independently reviewed the FDA’s actions related to COVID-19 vaccines, providing recommendations to California leadership around vaccine planning efforts as well as ensuring public confidence in vaccine safety, efficacy, and implementation efforts. The WSSSRW will continue to evaluate other COVID-19 vaccines as they go through the federal approval process.
Additionally, there are several safety monitoring systems set up in the US, including:
- Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
- Vaccine safety datalink
- Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment Project (CISA)
- “V-safe”
These safety monitoring systems provide methods for checking in with vaccine recipients after vaccination and allow participants to report any side effects or health problems experienced after COVID-19 vaccination.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage. Visit the CDC's Developing COVID-19 Vaccine webpage to find out more about how these vaccines were developed.
Everyone 6 months and above is now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of insurance or immigration status. Marin County Public Health is working with local partners including hospitals, family physicians, long-term care facilities, and clinics, for vaccine distribution. For information about COVID-19 vaccination sites and to schedule a vaccine appointment, please visit our webpages: GetVaccinatedMarin.org and Vaccine Finder.
Most people experience only mild side effects after being vaccinated. Your arm may be sore, red, or warm to the touch. These symptoms usually go away on their own in less than 72 hours. Some people report getting a headache or fever when getting a vaccine. These side effects are a sign that your immune system is doing exactly what it is supposed to do. It is working and building up protection for the disease.
Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccination side effects, including tips on how to relieve side effects, visit the CDC's Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine webpage.
COVID-19 vaccines have been tested in large clinical trials (>30,000 participants) to assess their safety, a core analytical measure when studying all vaccines. However, it does take time and more people getting vaccinated before we learn about very rare or long-term side effects. That is why safety monitoring will continue. CDC has an independent group of experts that reviews all the safety data as it comes in and provides regular safety updates. If a safety issue is detected, immediate action will take place to determine if the issue is related to the COVID-19 vaccine and determine the best course of action. Getting the vaccine is still the safer choice than the serious risk of COVID-19 infection.
To ensure the COVID-19 vaccine meets safety requirements, California formed a Scientific Safety Review Work Group comprised of nationally recognized immunization, public health, academic and other subject matter experts. The work group is staying abreast of vaccine candidate(s) trials, evidence of safety and efficacy, and other information to independently provide recommendations to California leadership and vaccine planning efforts as well as ensure public confidence in vaccine safety, efficacy, and implementation efforts.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.
Yes. The vaccines are safe for children ages 6 months and older. Clinical trials were conducted with thousands of children and no serious safety concerns were identified.
Before recommending COVID-19 vaccination for children, scientists conducted clinical trials. The FDA has given emergency use authorization to both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to use in children 6 months and older. The CDC's Advisory Committee and Immunization Practices and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup recommend both vaccines for children 6 months and older. Learn more about the process of developing, authorizing, and approving COVID-19 vaccines.
Based on clinical trial data, children may have some side effects from COVID-19 vaccination, which are similar to what adults have experienced and the side effects that many children experience after routine vaccinations. These side effects are normal signs that their body is building protection and may affect your child’s ability to do daily activities, and should go away within a few days. Some children will not have side effects. Serious side effects are rare but may occur.
The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks.
Yes, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. That’s because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering from COVID-19. Even if you have already recovered from COVID-19, it is possible—although rare—that you could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 again. Learn more about why getting vaccinated is a safer way to build protection than getting infected.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.
No. A flu vaccine will not protect you from getting COVID-19, but it can prevent you from getting influenza (flu) at the same time as COVID-19. This can keep you from having a more severe illness. Also, since flu and COVID-19 symptoms can be similar, being vaccinated for the flu will help you stay healthy and reduces your chance of experiencing severe flu symptoms, helping to lower the impact of flu-related hospitalizations in our local health care system. That means that getting a flu vaccine is more important than ever.
Learn more about the COVID-19 Vaccine in Marin County on our vaccine information webpage.
Employers do have the right to compel their workers to be vaccinated once a vaccine is formally approved. Many hospital systems, for example, require annual flu shots. But employees can seek exemptions based on medical reasons or religious beliefs. In such cases, employers are supposed to provide a “reasonable accommodation” — with a coronavirus vaccine, for example, a worker might be allowed to work if they wear a mask, or to work from home.
The U.S. vaccine safety system makes sure all vaccines are as safe as possible. COVID-19 vaccines have gone through the same safety tests and meet the same standards as other vaccines. People living with HIV (PLWH) were included in clinical trials, though safety data specific to this group are not yet available.
While this specific safety data is missing, PLWH are encouraged to be vaccinated. Patients are encouraged to consult with their primary care provider if their case may qualify for vaccine prioritization. Note that this currently only applies to patients who are immunocompromised and is largely determined by the state. If you decide to get vaccinated, continue to take everyday preventive actions to protect yourself against COVID-19. Check out this article from April 2021 about some current studies of the vaccines with this population.
The COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson do not use pork gelatin in their formulas. Gelatin from pork and cow products is often used in vaccines to stabilize the drug’s ingredients and ensure they remain effective through the distribution process. The three COVID-19 vaccines also do not contain eggs, preservatives, or latex.
For a full list of ingredients, please see each the information provided by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) below:
Yes. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect you from getting very sick from COVID-19. If you are pregnant or were recently pregnant, you are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 compared to people who are not pregnant. Additionally, if you have COVID-19 during pregnancy, you are at increased risk of complications that can affect your pregnancy and developing baby. People who are pregnant should stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, including getting a COVID-19 booster shot when it’s time to get one.
The COVID-19 vaccine, like other vaccines, works by training our bodies to develop antibodies to fight against the virus that causes COVID-19, to prevent future illness. Evidence continues to build showing that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is safe and effective. There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men.
People who are pregnant and part of a group recommended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine may choose to be vaccinated. While breastfeeding is an important consideration, it is rarely a safety concern with vaccines. Recent reports have shown that breastfeeding people who have received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have antibodies in their breastmilk, which could help protect their babies. More data are needed to determine what level of protection these antibodies may provide to the baby. If you have questions about getting vaccinated, talking with a healthcare provider may might help you make an informed decision.
More information can be found here: Vaccination Considerations for People who are Pregnant or Breastfeeding | CDC
Severe reactions to any vaccine are very rare. Most people experience only mild side effects, such as a sore arm or mild headache.
After you receive your vaccine, you are required to remain on site for 15-30 minutes for observation. When severe allergic reactions do occur, they tend to happen in the minutes following your injection. Vaccination sites have trained medical personnel on site to help you if you should experience any level of allergic reaction.
If you should experience a reaction after you return home and do not have medical insurance, you can seek care from a local community health center or hospital, or a Federally Qualified Healthcare Center.
Muslim communities have expressed concern over the contents of some of the COVID-19 vaccines currently in clinical trials and production around the world. At the center of their apprehension is whether the vaccines contain pig fat or pork products, which are prohibited under Islamic law.
On Dec. 23, 2020, the United Arab Emirates’ highest Islamic authority said that COVID-19 vaccines are permissible for Muslims, even if they contain pork gelatin. In other countries, including India, Muslim leaders are still debating their positions.
The COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna do not use pork gelatin in their formulas. Gelatin from pork and cow products is often used in vaccines to stabilize the drug’s ingredients and ensure they remain effective through the distribution process. The two COVID-19 vaccines also do not contain eggs, preservatives, or latex.
For a full list of ingredients, please see each vaccine’s Fact Sheet for Recipients and Caregivers:
Most people do not have serious problems after being vaccinated. This type of vaccine (i.e. mRNA vaccine) has a unique modality making it safer than many. However, your arm may be sore, red, or warm to the touch. These symptoms usually go away on their own <72 hours. Some people report getting a headache or fever when getting a vaccine. These side effects are a sign that your immune system is doing exactly what it is supposed to do. It is working and building up protection for the disease.