COVID-19 MRNA (Moderna) Vaccine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 2, 2024.

Applies to COVID-19 mRNA (Moderna) vaccine: intramuscular suspension.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, COVID-19 mRNA (Moderna) vaccine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking COVID-19 mRNA (Moderna) vaccine:

More common

• chills
• difficulty in moving
• headache
• joint pain
• muscle aches, cramps, pains, or stiffness
• nausea
• swollen joints
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting

Less common

• fever

Incidence not known

• anxiety
• blue or pale skin
• chest discomfort or tightness
• chest pain, possible moving to the left arm, neck, or shoulder
• cough
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• fainting
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• trouble breathing

Other side effects

Some side effects of COVID-19 mRNA (Moderna) vaccine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to COVID-19 mRNA (Moderna) vaccine: intramuscular suspension.

General

The most commonly reported side effects included injection site pain, headache, fatigue, and myalgia.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Postmarketing reports: Myocarditis, pericarditis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Rash, urticaria
• Postmarketing reports: Acute urticaria, delayed urticaria, erythema multiforme^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 24%), vomiting (up to 24%)^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Lymphadenopathy^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity events/hypersensitivity
• Frequency not reported: Facial swelling
• Postmarketing reports: Anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Acute otitis media^[Ref]

Acute otitis media occurred more frequently in patients 6 to 23 months of age who received this vaccine compared to placebo.^[Ref]

Local

• Very common (10% or more): Injection site pain (up to 97.2%), localized swelling/hardness (up to 17%), injection site erythema (up to 13.5%), localized swelling/induration (up to 12.6%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Delayed injection site reactions, injection site lymphadenopathy
• Frequency not reported: Injection site pruritus, injection site rash, injection site swelling, injection site urticaria^[Ref]

Delayed injection site reactions included at least 1 of the following: erythema, pain, and/or swelling.

Facial swelling occurred in 2 patients on Day 1 and Day 3 with a history of injection of dermatological fillers.^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Very common (10% or more): Appetite loss (up to 32.1%)^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Very common (10% or more): Myalgia (up to 61.5%), chills (up to 49.1%), arthralgia (up to 41%)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 78.4%), sleepiness (up to 37.3%)
• Frequency not reported: Acute peripheral facial paralysis/palsy, Bell's palsy, febrile convulsion
• Postmarketing reports: Dizziness, facial paralysis, hypoesthesia, paresthesia^[Ref]

Acute peripheral facial paralysis/palsy was reported in 3 patients who received their second dose after 22 days, 28 days, and 32 days.^[Ref]

Other

• Very common (10% or more): Pain (up to 91%), fatigue (up to 75.2%), use of antipyretic/pain medication (up to 57.3%), axillary swelling (up to 28%), axillary tenderness (up to 28%), fever (up to 23.9%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Axillary/groin swelling or tenderness^[Ref]

Axillary swelling and tenderness included localized axillary swelling or tenderness ipsilateral to the vaccinated arm and lymphadenopathy.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Irritability/crying (up to 67.6%)^[Ref]

Further information

COVID-19 mRNA (Moderna) vaccine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer