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.
Is the vaccine safe for those with chronic medical conditions and allergies?
People with chronic medical conditions or who are immunocompromised are recommended to get the vaccine as they are at higher risk of severe illness with COVID-19 and will be prioritised for vaccination.
There are currently no special safety concerns for any of the COVID-19 registered vaccines in Australia for people who are immunocompromised.
What about people who have had an allergic reaction to another vaccine or medication?
If you have had anaphylaxis (a type of severe allergic reaction) to a previous dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or to one of its ingredients, then you should not have the COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccines may be given to people with a history of severe allergy or anaphylaxis to food, drugs, venom, or latex and those with allergic conditions, including asthma, eczema or hay fever. Additional precautions are currently recommended for persons with a history of anaphylaxis to previous vaccines and/or multiple drugs. Your immunisation provider will ask you about any potential allergies prior to vaccination and decide how best to manage your situation.
Are there any special vaccine safety concerns for immunocompromised patients?
No. 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.
In general, people with underlying chronic medical conditions are at increased risk of severe illness with COVID-19 and should be prioritised for vaccination. COVID-19 vaccine is also recommended for people who are immunocompromised because of their increased risk of severe illness with 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 2 days of receiving a COVID-19 vaccination, and where the symptoms last less than 2 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.
Both vaccines approved by the TGA have been proven to be safe and effective in protecting against COVID-19 illness, including 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.
About a third of people who have received a COVID-19 vaccine to date in Western Australia report experiencing some symptoms when contacted by SMS 3 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 1 to 2 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 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?
Maybe. But before proceeding it will be important for your individual situation to be considered by a doctor who specialises in allergic reactions.