The COVID-19 vaccines have been developed so quickly, how can we be sure they are safe?
All available vaccines undergo rigorous testing to ensure they are safe before being made available to people in Western Australia. The Australian Government is responsible for selecting and purchasing vaccines. Vaccines will only be available to Australians once proven safe and effective for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) (external site).
Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines have been able to be developed faster than other vaccines because of several reasons:
- a level of funding and commitment not seen before
- the use of innovative technologies
- researchers and vaccine manufacturers around the world working together to respond to the pandemic.
Some steps of the clinical development and assessment processes have been done at the same time, instead of one after the other, as is usually the case. This has reduced the time it takes to complete the work, without omitting important steps, and large clinical trials of the vaccines were able to progress as quickly as possible.
What is in the vaccine?
The Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) produced by the Therapeutic Goods Administration contains a full list of all vaccine ingredients. See the CMI for:
Can I get COVID-19 from the vaccine?
No. COVID-19 illness is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. None of the vaccines approved for use in Australia contain this virus, so they cannot cause COVID-19 illness. This means the COVID-19 vaccines cannot give you COVID-19.
If someone develops COVID-19 symptoms shortly after their vaccination, should they get tested for COVID-19?
None of the vaccines approved for use in Australia contain a live virus that can cause COVID-19. This means that the COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19.
Testing someone who develops symptoms of fever, headache, fatigue or muscle/joint aches within two days of receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, and where the symptoms last less than two days, is not always necessary.
If you develop the types of symptoms that are commonly reported a day or so after vaccination and you have NO respiratory symptoms (no cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose or loss of smell), it is more likely that you are having an expected response to the vaccine. You should call your doctor and ask for advice if you have any respiratory symptoms, are unsure, or think you might have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Will I be protected from COVID-19 once I get the vaccine?
Making safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines available to all Australians is a key component of Australia’s strategy for protecting the community from COVID-19.
No vaccines offer total immunity but help to reduce the spread of infection and severity of illness if you are infected.
After you get the vaccine, it is important to continue practising good hygiene, physical distancing, and staying home if you're sick and getting tested for COVID-19.
Is one vaccine better than the other?
Providing access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for everyone in Australia is a priority for the Australian Government. The TGA assesses all COVID-19 vaccines before they can be used in Australia.
All vaccines approved by the TGA have been proven to be safe and effective in protecting against COVID-19 illness, including against severe disease.
What are the possible side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine? Will I feel unwell after vaccination?
All vaccines can cause side effects. Usually these are mild. You may experience minor side effects following vaccination. Most side effects last no more than a couple of days and you will recover without any problems.
Just over half the people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine to date in Western Australia report experiencing some symptoms when contacted by SMS three days after vaccination. The most common side effects after COVID-19 vaccination are usually mild and include:
- pain, redness and/or swelling where you received the needle
- headache
- fatigue
- muscle and/or joint ache
- mild fever.
When they occur, these symptoms typically start within 24 hours of vaccination, last one to two days, and resolve without treatment.
These types of reactions are often a sign that your immune system is responding to the vaccine and helping to teach your body how to fight off COVID-19 if you are later exposed to the virus.
Serious reactions like allergic reactions are extremely rare. If you have a reaction that is unexpected, or if you are unsure, consult with your GP.
If you believe your reaction is severe or life-threatening you should call triple zero (000) for an ambulance or go to your closest emergency department.
Significant and unexpected reactions should be reported to the Western Australian Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS). Your immunisation provider should report all suspected significant reactions, but you can also do it yourself on the SAFEVAC Reporting website (external site).
For more information visit the Australian Government website (external site).
What are the symptoms of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS)?
Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) is very rare and occurs around 4-28 days after vaccination. Symptoms can include abdominal pain and/or severe headache that does not settle with pain relief. People should seek medical attention immediately if they experience these symptoms:
- a severe persistent headache with additional features:
- appears at least four days after vaccination
- does not improve with simple painkillers
- may be worse when lying down or accompanied by nausea and vomiting
- neurological symptoms such as:
- blurred vision
- difficulty with speech
- drowsiness
- seizures
- shortness of breath or chest pain
- a swollen leg
- persistent abdominal (belly) pain
- tiny blood spots under the skin away from the site of injection together with symptoms above.
If you believe your reaction is severe or life-threatening you should call triple zero (000) for an ambulance or go to your closest emergency department.
Significant and unexpected reactions should be reported to the Western Australian Vaccine Safety Surveillance (WAVSS). Your immunisation provider should report all suspected significant reactions, but you can also do it yourself on the SAFEVAC Reporting website (external site).
Further information on TTS can be found at Patient information on AstraZeneca vaccine and thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (external site)
For more information visit the Australian Government website (external site).
What is myocarditis and pericarditis?
Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. Pericarditis is inflammation of the outer lining of the heart. These two conditions can occur together. Both these conditions occur relatively commonly in the general population.
A small number of myocarditis and pericarditis cases have been reported in Australia after vaccination with an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (the Comirnaty (Pfizer) and Spikevax (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines). The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) is monitoring these cases, but the risk remains very low. Most reported cases have been mild with patients recovering quickly and were more common in males aged under 30 years after their second dose of the Comirnaty (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine.
Symptoms typically appear within 1-5 days, and can include:
- chest pain, pressure or discomfort
- palpitations (irregular heartbeat, skipped beats or ‘fluttering’
- fainting
- shortness of breath
- pain with breathing.
COVID-19 vaccination should be deferred in people with ongoing cardiac inflammation or those who develop myocarditis/pericarditis after their first dose.
People with a history of most chronic cardiovascular conditions, including prior myocarditis, pericarditis or endocarditis more than 6 months ago, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, stable heart failure, arrhythmias, prior history of rheumatic heart disease (RHD), Kawasaki Disease, most congenital heart disease and people with implantable cardiac devices are recommended to receive COVID-19 vaccine. No specific precautions are recommended for people in these groups.
People with recent (i.e. within the past 6 months) or current inflammatory cardiac illness (eg: myocarditis, pericarditis or endocarditis); acute rheumatic fever or acute rheumatic heart disease; complex or severe congenital heart disease; acute decompensated heart failure or a history of cardiac transplant; or who are aged 12-29 years with dilated cardiomyopathy should consult a GP, immunisation specialist or cardiologist about the best timing of vaccination and whether any additional precautions are recommended.
For more information, see Guidance on Myocarditis and Pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (external site).
Should you take blood thinning medication (such as Aspirin) before having the Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) COVID-19 vaccine?
It is not recommended to take over the counter medicine before receiving a vaccination for the purpose of preventing potential side effects.
You should continue to take prescribed medication unless advised by your medical practitioner.
Always discuss any existing medical conditions with your GP or immunisation provider before you get any vaccine.
Is the vaccine safe if I have allergies?
Almost everyone can receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This includes people with a history of severe allergies or anaphylaxis to food, drugs, venom, or latex and those with allergic conditions, including asthma, eczema or hay fever.
If you have had anaphylaxis (a type of severe allergic reaction) to a particular type of COVID-19 vaccine or to an ingredient in a vaccine, then you should not have that COVID-19 vaccine. You may be able to have an alternative COVID-19 vaccine.
Your immunisation provider will ask you about any potential allergies prior to vaccination and decide how best to manage your situation.
What about people who have had an allergic reaction to a vaccine or medication?
Additional precautions are currently recommended for people with a history of anaphylaxis to previous vaccines and/or multiple drugs, such as consulting an allergy specialist or staying for 30 minutes of observation in a facility with medical staff.
These precautions apply to people who:
- have had a suspected allergic reaction after a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine
- have had an allergic reaction (but not anaphylaxis) to an ingredient of a COVID-19 vaccine
- have had anaphylaxis to other vaccines or to medications (including injectable or oral medications) where there may be common ingredients with a COVID-19 vaccine such as:
- people with a history of confirmed mastocytosis (a mast cell disorder) with recurrent anaphylaxis, and who require treatment for this condition.
Your immunisation provider will ask you about any potential allergies prior to vaccination and decide how best to manage your situation.
What happens if I have an allergic reaction to my first dose of vaccine? Will I be able to complete the 2-dose series with a different brand of COVID-19 vaccine?
It is very uncommon for people to have anaphylaxis or a serious allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine. However, if you did experience a serious allergic reaction to the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination, you should be referred to a specialist immunology or vaccination clinic for further assessment. Decisions around second dose should be dependent upon that discussion.
The specialist may recommend an alternate brand for the second dose. If an alternate brand is used for the second dose, a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine does not need to be given.
Is the vaccine safe for those with chronic medical conditions?
People with chronic medical conditions are recommended to get the vaccine, as they are at higher risk of severe illness with COVID-19.
If you have a bleeding disorder or you are taking a blood-thinning medication (anticoagulant), tell your immunisation provider.
Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) COVID-19 vaccine
People with a history of the following conditions should not receive the Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) COVID-19 vaccine and should be offered an alternative vaccine (e.g. Comirnaty (Pfizer) or Spikevax (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines):
- cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (a type of brain clot)
- heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (a rare reaction to heparin treatment)
- idiopathic splanchnic (mesenteric, portal and splenic) venous thrombosis (blood clot in the abdominal veins)
- antiphospholipid syndrome associated with blood clots
- capillary leak syndrome
- thrombosis with thrombocytopenia occurring after a previous dose
- anaphylaxis or severe immediate allergic reaction to first dose
- severe adverse event following first dose attributable to the vaccine.
Comirnaty (Pfizer) or Spikevax (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines
If you have or had any of the following heart conditions, you can still have the Comirnaty (Pfizer) or Spikevax (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccine. But you should talk to your doctor first to discuss the best timing of vaccination, and whether any extra precautions are needed:
- recent (i.e within the last 6 months) or current myocarditis, pericarditis or endocarditis
- acute rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease
- for people aged 12-29 years: dilated cardiomyopathy
- complex or severe congenital heart disease
- severe heart failure
- if you have had a heart transplant.
If myocarditis or pericarditis has developed and has been attributed to the first dose of the Comirnaty (Pfizer) or Spikevax (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines, do not have another dose of these mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, and discuss options regarding future doses with your doctor.
If you have had anaphylaxis (a type of severe allergic reaction) to the Comirnaty (Pfizer) or Spikevax (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines or to an ingredient in one of these vaccines, then you should not have that COVID-19 vaccine. You may be able to have an alternative COVID-19 vaccine (e.g. Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) COVID-19 vaccine).
Can I have a COVID-19 vaccine if I am immunocompromised?
Yes. If you are immunocompromised it means you have a weakened immune system, either from an underlying medical condition or from medical treatment that weakens your immune system.
The COVID-19 vaccine is highly recommended for people who are immunocompromised because of their increased risk of severe illness with COVID-19.
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends a third dose as part of the primary course of vaccination for people who are severely immunocompromised. Further information is available in the ATAGI recommendations on the use of a third primary dose of COVID-19 vaccine in individuals who are severely immunocompromised (external site).
None of the vaccines approved for use in Australia contain a live virus. This means the COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19.
If you are taking an immune-weakening treatment (immunosuppressant/immunomodulator), including chemotherapy, you should discuss the best timing of vaccination with your treating doctor.
For more information on use of the vaccine in people with immunocompromise, see the COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for people with immunocompromise (external site).
What is capillary leak syndrome?
Capillary leak syndrome is an extremely rare but severe relapsing-remitting condition where fluid from small blood vessels (capillaries) leaks into surrounding tissue.
Cases of capillary leak syndrome after the Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) COVID-19 vaccine have been reported (external site) overseas. The Therapeutic Goods Administration has received a report of one case (external site) of a patient who died from multi-organ failure but had signs of capillary leakage. It is not clear whether this was linked to the Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) COVID-19 vaccine as other causes could not be ruled out.
A history of the capillary leak syndrome is a contraindication to the Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) COVID-19 vaccine. This means if you have had capillary leak syndrome in the past, you should have an alternative vaccine.
Do COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility?
No, none of the COVID-19 vaccines currently under review by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) cause infertility.
The TGA will not approve a vaccine for use in Australia unless it is safe and effective (external site). This includes impacts on fertility.
The theory that COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility is based on the disproven idea that one of the spike proteins in COVID-19 and the Syncytin-1 protein (which help placenta development) are the same. They are not.
There is no evidence suggesting that fertility problems are a side effect of ANY vaccine.
Women who are trying to become pregnant do not need to delay vaccination or avoid becoming pregnant after vaccination.
In line with guidance from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) it is recommended that pregnant women receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (the Comirnaty (Pfizer) or Spikevax (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines) at any stage of pregnancy.
For more information read the COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy (external site).