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If you’re concerned about how you’re feeling

If you’re unsure about your symptoms or if they get worse, call Healthline:

Phone 0800 358 5453

If you’re concerned about your safety, call 111. Tell them you’ve had a COVID-19 vaccination so they can assess you properly.

Common side effects

Like all medicines, you might experience some mild side effects in the days after getting your vaccination. This is common, and a sign that your body is learning to fight the virus.

Most side effects do not last long, and will not stop you from going about your daily life or having another vaccine dose in the future. Some side effects may temporarily affect your ability to drive or use machinery.

Side effects are reported to the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring (CARM) and Medsafe closely monitors and releases safety reports showing this data.

The top 10 reported side effects of the Pfizer vaccine in New Zealand are:

Reaction Number any dose Number dose 1 Number dose 2 Number dose 3
Headache 19,008 6,830 8,152 4,026
Dizziness 17,847 9,203 6,068 2,576
Injection site pain 15,959 5,506 6,570 3,883
Lethargy 14,667 5,517 6,735 2,415
Nausea 12,847 5,428 4,994 2,425
Chest discomfort 12,707 5,385 4,827 2,495
Fever 8,792 2,167 4,341 2,284
Influenza-like illness 8,347 2,275 4,058 2,014
Lymphadenopathy 7,340 1,294 2,880 3,166
Shortness of breath 7,269 3,181 2,849 1,239

Timeframe: 20 February 2021 to 30 April 2022

See details in the full Medsafe reports

When you’re likely to experience a side effect

Most side effects appear within a day or two after being vaccinated.

What you may feel What can help When this could start

Pain at the injection site, a headache and feeling tired and fatigued. These are the most commonly reported side effects.

Place a cold, wet cloth, or ice pack on the injection site for a short time.

Do not rub or massage the injection site.

Within 6 to 24 hours

Muscle aches, feeling generally unwell, chills, fever, joint pain and nausea may also occur.

Rest and drink plenty of fluids

Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be taken, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Seek advice from your health professional if your symptoms worsen.

Within 6 to 48 hours
New onset chest pain, racing heart, or shortness of breath Speak to your health professional promptly if you develop any of these symptoms. Within 14 days

 

Rare side effects

If you feel any of these symptoms in the days or weeks after the vaccine, you should see a healthcare professional, such as a GP, afterhours service or emergency department – there will be no charge for the consultation. You can also call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 anytime to get advice.  

If you’re concerned about your safety, call 111. Tell them you’ve had a COVID-19 vaccination so they can assess you properly.

Myocarditis and pericarditis

Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, while pericarditis is inflammation of the tissue forming a sac around the heart. These conditions are usually caused by viral infections (including COVID-19), but they are also very rare and serious side effects of the Pfizer and Novavax vaccines. 

Symptoms of myocarditis or pericarditis linked to the vaccine generally appear within a few days, and mostly within the first few weeks after having the vaccine. If you get any of these new symptoms after your vaccination, you should seek prompt medical help. If these symptoms don’t go away, seek medical help again. Children are less likely to have these sorts of side effects but may not volunteer symptoms. Caregivers should ask children how they are feeling.

Symptoms may include:

  • tightness, heaviness, discomfort or pain in your chest or neck
  • difficulty breathing or catching your breath
  • feeling faint or dizzy or light-headed
  • fluttering, racing or pounding heart, or feeling like it is ‘skipping beats’.

 

Allergic reactions

There are some side effects that are more serious but rare, like a severe allergic reaction.

Serious allergic reactions or anaphylaxis occur rarely. This is the reason people are observed for around 15 minutes post vaccination. Vaccinators are well-trained in managing these if they occur.

Bell's palsy

Temporary one-sided facial drooping (Bell's palsy) has been reported as a rare side effect, affecting every 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 people in the clinical trials.

How to report side effects

Reporting COVID-19 vaccine side effects means the safety of COVID-19 vaccines within Aotearoa New Zealand can be closely monitored.

You can report your own side effects, or side effects experienced by someone else (including a child). You don’t have to be certain the vaccine caused the side effects to make a report.

Report your side effects

Text invites to submit side effects

If you get a COVID-19 vaccine booster, or a child in your care has had a paediatric (child) COVID-19 vaccine, you may be invited by text to let us know about any side effects experienced in the days after – this is called a ‘Post Vaccine Symptom Check’.

The text invite will come from the Ministry of Health and you’ll be asked to reply ‘YES’, ‘NO’, or ‘STOP. All replies are free of charge.

If you want to take part you’ll be sent a link to an online web form.