Benefits vs. Risks: COVID-19 Vaccine

Our Lawyers for COVID Vaccine Claims Discuss the Benefits and Risks of Immunization

What do you really need to know about the COVID-19 vaccines? Over the past few years, this has proven to be an exceedingly difficult question to answer. But, today we know more about the COVID-19 vaccines than ever, and there are reliable data we can examine to assess the vaccines’ benefits and risks. Here, our lawyers for COVID vaccine claims endeavor to provide a straightforward and unbiased review of the information that is currently available. On this page, we cover:

• Benefits of COVID-19 vaccination
• Risks linked to the COVID-19 vaccines
• Common myths about COVID-19 vaccine safety

Of course, if you have questions about getting vaccinated, or if you have concerns about a possible vaccine-related injury or illness, you should consult with your physician. There is no substitute for personalized medical advice. There is also no substitute for personalized legal representation. Our lawyers for COVID vaccine claims can help you if you are entitled to financial compensation, and we invite you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation.

Benefits of COVID-19 Vaccination

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health authorities generally recommend vaccination against COVID-19. For example, the CDC states, “COVID 19-vaccines are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and dying. Vaccination remains the safest strategy for avoiding hospitalizations, long-term health outcomes, and death.” Yale Medicine also notes that, “[t]here has been better protection against severe disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 since newly updated (2023–2024 formula) mRNA COVID vaccines became available last fall,” and Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that, “[t]he COVID-19 vaccine is very good at preventing serious illness, hospitalization and death.”

As outlined by the CDC, the primary benefits of COVID-19 vaccination include:

Preventing Serious Illness from COVID-19

The CDC writes that, “COVID-19 vaccines available in the United States are safe and effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and dying.” Even if getting vaccinated does not prevent a vaccine recipient from getting COVID-19, it can still protect the recipient against potentially serious complications.

Building Protection Without Getting Sick

While getting COVID-19 helps to build immunity for the future, the CDC also writes that, “[g]etting a COVID-19 vaccine is a safer, more reliable way to build protection than getting sick with COVID-19.” This is due to the potential risk for serious complications from the virus.

Added Protection for Those Who Have Been Sick

The CDC advises that even people who have been sick with COVID-19 can still benefit from getting vaccinated: “COVID-19 vaccines can offer added protection to people who had COVID-19, including protection against being hospitalized from a new infection.”

As the CDC also notes, “it is not possible to determine who will experience mild or severe illness from COVID-19 infection.” Thus, it is best to avoid contracting COVID-19 if possible—and getting vaccinated is one of the few steps that people can take to minimize their risk day-to-day. However, as we discuss below, the CDC (along with other health authorities) also recognizes that there are certain risks linked to COVID-19 vaccination—and, once again, it is important to consult with your doctor if you have questions or concerns.

Risks Linked to the COVID-19 Vaccines

While the CDC generally recommends vaccination against COVID-19 based on the benefits listed above, it also acknowledges that getting vaccinated carries certain risks. These risks go beyond the common side effects associated with the different types of COVID-19 vaccines (which include fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain and fever, among others).

Currently, the primary risks linked to the COVID-19 vaccines are:

Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergic Reaction)

Like all vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccines present risks for anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is the medical term for a severe allergic reaction; and, as the CDC notes, “[a]naphylaxis needs to be treated with epinephrine . . . and may require hospitalization.” Oftentimes, vaccine recipients won’t know whether they are at risk for experiencing a severe allergic reaction, and this is one of the reasons why vaccine administrators typically recommend waiting 15 to 30 minutes before driving after receiving a COVID shot. Likewise, parents may not know whether their child is allergic to certain vaccine ingredients until their child experiences an allergic reaction.

Anaphylaxis usually onsets quickly, with initial symptoms including hives, swelling, difficulty breathing and a loss of blood pressure (or fainting). While anaphylaxis is treatable, individuals who are experiencing severe allergic reactions may need emergency treatment in order to avoid life-threatening complications.

Myocarditis

Myocarditis is characterized by inflammation of the heart muscle. As Johns Hopkins Medicine explains, myocarditis “can affect your heart’s electrical system[,] cause arrhythmia, or a rapid or abnormal heartbeat[,] cause the heart muscle to weaken and . . . lead to cardiomyopathy.” Early symptoms can be similar to those of anaphylaxis, though COVID shot recipients who contract myocarditis will typically experience additional symptoms, such as sore throat and diarrhea, as well.

Johns Hopkins Medicine reports that myocarditis can be difficult to diagnose, and that blood tests, x-rays, MRIs, MRIs, ultrasounds and biopsies may all be necessary to confirm whether a COVID-19 vaccine recipient has myocarditis. As Johns Hopkins Medicine also reports, “[t]here is no curative treatment for myocarditis.” Instead treatment generally focuses on using medications to treat its symptoms and prevent potentially serious complications. Use of a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator may also be necessary in some cases.

Pericarditis

Pericarditis is characterized by inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart (the pericardium). Chest pain is typically the first symptom, though flu-like symptoms and others are common as well. The Mayo Clinic describes pericarditis as a “mild” medical condition in most cases, and notes that, “[i]t may go away without treatment. When patients need treatment, this usually involves medication, though surgery may be necessary in some cases in order to prevent long-term complications.

Even though pericarditis often goes away on its own, its long-term complications can be serious. As a result, anyone who has concerns after getting a COVID shot should consult with their doctor promptly. According to the Mayo Clinic, potentially serious complications from pericarditis include pericardial effusion, constrictive pericarditis and cardiac tamponade—the latter of which can be fatal without emergency medical intervention.

Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS)

Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) is a rare autoimmune disorder that has been linked specifically to the Johnson & Johnson/Hanssen COVID-19 vaccines. While the specific cause of GBS is unknown, it has been linked to the flu shot and certain other vaccinations as well.

Since the specific cause of GBS is unknown, this also means that we do not yet have a cure. Treatment focuses on symptom management; and, for some vaccine recipients, this can be a lifelong endeavor. Sadly, severe cases of GBS from the COVID shot and other vaccines can prove fatal.

Shoulder Injury Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA)

All vaccines administered via injection in the upper arm present risks for shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA). This includes the COVID-19 vaccines. SIRVA result from errors during vaccine administration, such as inserting the needle at the wrong angle or injecting the vaccine too high on the shoulder. There are several different types of SIRVA, and a vaccine recipient’s symptoms, prognosis and treatment needs depend on the specific injury with which he or she is diagnosed.

While anaphylaxis, myocarditis, pericarditis, GBS and SIRVA resulting from COVID-19 vaccines can all be classified as rare, they are all very real (and well-documented) risks associated with vaccination. Due to the financial and non-financial costs of recovery, if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with one of these conditions after getting vaccinated, we strongly recommend that you speak with one of our lawyers for COVID vaccine claims about your legal rights.

Common Myths About COVID-19 Vaccine Safety

When weighing the pros and cons of the COVID-19 vaccine, it is important to make sure you are relying on accurate information. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths out there, many of which have no basis whatsoever in reality. For example, some of the most common myths include:

• The COVID-19 vaccines “were developed too quickly to be trusted.”
• The COVID-19 vaccines “will alter your DNA.”
• “If you’ve had COVID-19, you don’t need to get vaccinated.”
• If the COVID-19 vaccines worked, “we wouldn’t need to update them.”
• The COVID-19 vaccines “use a live version of the coronavirus.”

However, what is not a myth is that the COVID-19 vaccines can—and do—cause serious complications in rare cases. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with serious complications from a COVID shot, we encourage you to contact our lawyers for COVID vaccine claims for more information.

Contact Our Lawyers for COVID Vaccine Claims for More Information

Do you have questions about seeking financial compensation for serious complications from a COVID-19 vaccine? If so, we invite you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. To schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers for COVID-19 vaccine claims at your convenience, please call 202-800-1711 or get in touch online today.