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COVID-19 Vaccine Safety

 

L'information contenue dans cette section est en anglais et en cri. Pour obtenir des renseignements à jour sur ce sujet en français, veuillez consulter le site quebec.ca.

 

Bottle of Moderna vaccine on table

Did you know?

Safe and Effective

  • The COVID-19 vaccine is approved by Health Canada and is safe. It has met all the requirements for approval.
  • The vaccine has about a 94% success rate in protecting people from severe forms of the COVID-19 disease and serious consequences like hospitalization.
  • It is an important layer of protection, along with other precautionary measures.
  • Experts are closely monitoring any adverse reactions that could occur following vaccination to ensure the public receives a safe, effective vaccine.

Possible Reactions to the Vaccine

As a precaution, after receiving your shot, stay at the vaccination clinic for at least 15 minutes.

  • Some symptoms may be caused by the vaccine, such as pain at the injection site in your arm.
  • These side effects mean your body’s immune system is learning how to protect you from COVID-19.
  • Most reactions are harmless and last less than 48 hours.
  • Most people have stronger reactions to the second dose than they did to the first dose, although some have no reaction at all.
  • Reactions can be reduced by taking Tylenol (acetaminophen).
  • Vaccines can not cause COVID-19 because they do not contain the virus that causes COVID-19.

If you have an allergic reaction, the symptoms will appear a few minutes after the vaccination. The person giving the vaccine will be able to treat this reaction immediately.

 

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Side Effects

In most cases

(more than 50% of people)

  • Pain at the injection site
  • Headache
  • Fatigue

What to do

  • Apply a cold, damp compress at the injection site
  • Use medication like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) if needed for fever or discomfort
  • See a doctor if symptoms are severe

Very often

(less than 50% of people)

  • Fever
  • Shivering
  • Joint pain
  • Muscle soreness

What to do

  • Use medication like Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen) if needed for fever or discomfort
  • See a doctor if symptoms are severe

Often

(less than 10% of people)

  • Redness, swelling at the injection site
  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting

What to do

  • Apply a cold, damp compress at the injection site
  • Use medication like Tylenol (acetaminophen or Advil (ibuprofen) if needed for fever or discomfort
  • See a doctor if symptoms are severe

 

Vaccination clinic schedule in your community

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