A recent study conducted in the United States has found that Covid-19 mRNA vaccines typically only cause mild and short-term side effects. The need for medical treatment after vaccination is very low. According to a publication in the Lancet Infectious Diseases, in the first six months after their launch in December 2020, more than 298 million doses of the Covid-19 mRNA vaccines from BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna were administered in the US. The study, based on data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and the v-safe system, found that the majority (92%) of reported side effects were mild and short-lived, with less than 1% of v-safe participants requiring medical assistance due to side effects.
The most common mild side effects reported were headaches, fatigue, fever, chills, and pain. Only a small percentage (6.6%) of side effects were classified as severe, with shortness of breath being the most common. The study’s authors explain that doctors were required to report all deaths, regardless of whether there was a potential link to the vaccine, due to the emergency authorization of the Covid-19 mRNA vaccines in the US. Of the approximately 4,500 deaths reported, the majority (80%) were among people over 60 years old, who have a higher mortality rate in general. The study found no unusual patterns in the causes of death.
The study’s authors emphasize that the safety monitoring of Covid-19 vaccines is the most intensive in US history, and the two complementary monitoring systems used in this study should strengthen confidence in the safety of Covid-19 mRNA vaccines. The study also found no significant safety differences between the BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. While the VAERS database is not representative because it relies on voluntary reporting, the study’s authors note that the data from both VAERS and v-safe are reassuring and consistent with the results of clinical trials and post-market monitoring.
In conclusion, the study provides further evidence that Covid-19 mRNA vaccines are safe and well-tolerated, with the vast majority of reported side effects being mild and short-lived. The study’s authors stress the importance of continued safety monitoring and encourage people to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their communities.
