Find out the side effects, the reported adverse events and allergic reactions to the Pfizer vaccine.
Last updated: 8 June 2022
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Common side effects of the Pfizer vaccine
Like all medicines, you might experience some mild side effects 1–2 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 having a second dose or going about your daily life. 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
Reported side effects of the AstraZeneca vaccine in New Zealand
When you’re likely to experience a side effect
Most side effects show 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 |
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.
Rare side effects
There are some side effects that are more serious but very rare, like a severe allergic reaction or an inflammation of the heart.
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 vaccine.
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 medical help, especially if these symptoms don’t go away:
- 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’.
If you feel any of these symptoms in the days or weeks after the vaccine, you should see a GP – 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.
Adverse reactions to vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine may be covered by ACC as a treatment injury. Treatment injury does not cover ordinary consequences of vaccination.
Ask your healthcare provider (Hospital specialist or GP) if an ACC claim may be appropriate for your situation as you may be entitled to help with medical costs and accessing treatments.
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.
Serious adverse cases reported
Medsafe's reports give detailed information about serious adverse cases reported.
See details in the full reports
CARM and Medsafe investigate reports of significant adverse events, including those with a fatal outcome.
The aim of the investigation is for CARM and Medsafe to determine the likelihood the vaccine caused the reported events.
For significant cases, including deaths, the COVID-19 Independent Safety Monitoring Board (CV-ISMB) review the information supplied during the investigation and provide their view on the likely relationship of the reported events to vaccination.
Causes of death are investigated and determined by the coroner – not by CARM or Medsafe.
About the coronial process
The COVID-19 Independent Safety Monitoring Board holds meetings every 3-4 weeks to look at COVID-19 vaccine safety data. They can also call additional meetings if an urgent issue arises internationally or there’s a report of a serious unexpected event.
More information about the Board
How to report side effects
Reporting COVID-19 vaccine side effects means the safety of the Pfizer vaccine 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.
Text invites to submit side effects
If you get a Pfizer booster, or a child in your care has had a paediatric (child) Pfizer 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.