What is the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine?
The Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine is an unapproved vaccine that may prevent COVID‑19. There is no FDA‑approved vaccine to prevent COVID‑19. The FDA has authorized the emergency use of the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine to prevent COVID‑19 in individuals 18 years of age and older under an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
Important Safety Information
What should you mention to your vaccination provider before you get the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine?
Tell your vaccination provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
- have any allergies
- have a fever
- have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner
- are immunocompromised or are on a medicine that affects your immune system
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- are breastfeeding
- have received another COVID‑19 vaccine
Who should not get the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine?
You should not get the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine if you:
- had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine
- had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient of this vaccine
How is the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine given?
The Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine will be given to you as an injection into the muscle. The Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine vaccination series is 2 doses given 1 month apart. If you receive one dose of the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine, you should receive a second dose of the same vaccine 1 month later to complete the vaccination series.
What are the risks of the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine?
Side effects that have been reported with the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine include:
- Injection site reactions: pain, tenderness and swelling of the lymph nodes in the same arm of the injection, swelling (hardness), and redness
- General side effects: fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, chills, nausea and vomiting, and fever
There is a remote chance that the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose of the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine. For this reason, your vaccination provider may ask you to stay at the place where you received your vaccine for monitoring after vaccination. Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of your face and throat
- A fast heartbeat
- A bad rash all over your body
- Dizziness and weakness
These may not be all the possible side effects of the Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine. Serious and unexpected side effects may occur. The Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine is still being studied in clinical trials.
What should I do about side effects?
If you experience a severe allergic reaction, call 9‑1‑1, or go to the nearest hospital.
Call the vaccination provider or your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.
Report vaccine side effects to FDA/CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The VAERS toll-free number is 1‑800‑822‑7967 or report online to https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. Please include “Moderna COVID‑19 Vaccine EUA” in the first line of box #18 of the report form. In addition, you can report side effects to ModernaTX, Inc. at 1‑866‑MODERNA (1‑866‑663‑3762).