Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects: How Long They Last

• The Moderna clinical trials found that injection site pain, fatigue, headache, and aches and pains were commonly reported after vaccination.
• Since millions of people have gotten the vaccine outside of trials, the top side effects include pain at the injection site along with chills, headache, and fever.
• In general, older adults are less likely to experience side effects after vaccination.

Over 47 million doses of the Moderna vaccine have been administered to U.S. adults since the FDA issued emergency use authorization for the shot on December 18, 2020.

The Moderna clinical trials found that injection site pain, fatigue, headache, and aches and pains were commonly reported after vaccination.

Now, with so many shots going into arms, we’ve been able to get an even clearer look at the side effects the Moderna vaccine causes.

Like those involved in the clinical trials, people have commonly reported pain at the injection site along with chills, headache, and fever.

There have also been several reports of “COVID arm” after the Moderna vaccination, a harmless skin rash likely triggered by the vaccine ingredients.

The reactions are usually more intense after the second dose and in people who previously developed COVID-19.

Infectious disease doctors say these reactions are to be expected, as they indicate the immune system is doing its job in learning how to recognize and fight the coronavirus.