Our COVID Vaccine Injury Lawyers Discuss the Latest Information on Vaccine Safety

Are the COVID vaccines safe? This question has been top of mind for many people since the first vaccines were announced at the height of the pandemic in late 2020. The short answer seems to be that the COVID vaccines are generally safe for most people; but, like all vaccines, they can cause adverse reactions and have other adverse effects in a small percentage of cases. For those who experience adverse effects, taking appropriate legal action is important, and our COVID vaccine injury lawyers are available to help.

COVID Vaccine Safety According to the CDC, WHO and Johns Hopkins Medicine

While it can be difficult to find reliable information about COVID vaccine safety online, three of the most reputable sources of information on the topic are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and Johns Hopkins Medicine:

1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on COVID Vaccine Safety

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the top national public health agency in the United States. It describes itself as, “the nation’s leading science-based, data-driven, service organization that protects the public’s health.” Among other things, the CDC establishes the routine vaccine recommendations for children and adults in the United States, and it has been actively involved in the process of approving both the original COVID vaccines at the height of the pandemic and the current versions of the COVID vaccines that are available today.

Here’s what the CDC has to say about the safety of the COVID vaccines today:

“COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. The safety of COVID-19 vaccines has been rigorously monitored and evaluated since their emergency use authorization (EUA) in December 2020. . . . As with all vaccines authorized or approved for use in the U.S., CDC, FDA and other federal agencies will continue to closely monitor the safety of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccines using multiple vaccine safety monitoring systems and will share information with the public as it becomes available.”

The CDC goes on to state, “COVID-19 vaccination continues to be the best way to protect against serious illness. The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks.” As a result, it currently recommends vaccination starting at six months of age for all people, unless advised otherwise by their doctor due to specific health concerns.  

2. The World Health Organization (WHO) on COVID Vaccine Safety

The World Health Organization (WHO) is part of the United Nations. Its members include more than 100 countries around the world, and its mission is to promote health worldwide while preventing health-related emergencies and improving global citizens’ quality of life.

Like the CDC, WHO considers the COVID vaccines to be safe, and it recommends COVID vaccination in almost all cases. Noting that, “[a]n external panel of experts convened by WHO analyses the results from clinical trials and recommends whether and how the vaccines should be used,” with regard to the safety of COVID vaccines, WHO states:

“The [COVID] vaccines have shown a high level of efficacy across all populations . . . [and] have been found to be safe and effective in people with various underlying medical conditions that are associated with increased risk of severe disease. These include high blood pressure; diabetes; asthma; pulmonary, liver or kidney disease; and chronic infections that are stable and controlled.”

In a series of FAQs on the COVID vaccine, WHO discusses its process for evaluating the safety of the COVID vaccines. Among other things, this process involved (and continues to involve):

  • Real-world monitoring by WHO’s Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS);
  • “[L]arge Phase III clinical trials to prove that [COVID vaccines] meet internationally agreed benchmarks for safety and efficacy;” and,
  • Independent reviews of the efficacy and safety data submitted by COVID vaccine manufacturers.

3. Johns Hopkins Medicine on COVID Vaccine Safety

Johns Hopkins Medicine is one of the leading healthcare organizations not just in the United States, but in the entire world. It is considered to be a reliable source of medical information, including information on the COVID vaccine and other immunizations.

It also considers the COVID vaccines to be safe for most people. Regarding the safety of the COVID vaccines, an article published on Johns Hopkins Medicine’s website states:

“The two mRNA vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are very safe and very good at preventing serious or fatal cases of COVID-19. The risk of serious side effects associated with these vaccines is very small.”

This article was authored by Johns Hopkins Medicine’s Senior Director of Infection Prevention and the director of its Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response. It goes on to state that, “[r]oughly 12 months of data, including data from tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials, show that the vaccines are safe,” and it reminds readers that the vaccines have, “received full FDA approval, which means more data show how well that particular vaccine works.”

Potential Adverse Effects of COVID Vaccination

While these organizations generally consider the COVID vaccines to be safe for most people, they also recognize that they are not safe all of the time. For example, the CDC states, “[i]n rare cases, people have experienced more significant adverse events after COVID-19 vaccination.” Importantly, though, the CDC also clarifies that, “[a]n adverse event can be caused by the vaccine or can be caused by a coincidental event not related to the vaccine, such as an unrelated fever, that happened following vaccination.”

Additionally, WHO advises against getting immunized with a COVID vaccine if you have had a severe allergic reaction to a COVID vaccine in the past, and it recommends delaying your vaccination if you have a fever of 101.3 degrees or above. Johns Hopkins Medicine echoes WHO’s advice regarding previous severe allergic reactions. Like the CDC, WHO acknowledges the possibility of side effects and potential adverse events as well. WHO also advises:

“Those who should consult with a doctor before vaccination include people with a compromised immune system, older people with severe frailty, people with a history of severe allergic reaction to vaccines, people living with HIV, and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.”

Some studies have also identified safety risks associated with the COVID vaccines. For example, a study available through the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed database found that, the “Pfizer and Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were associated with an excess risk of serious adverse events of special interest of 10.1 and 15.1 per 10,000 vaccinated over placebo baselines,” and that “[c]ombined, there was a 16 % higher risk of serious adverse events in mRNA vaccine recipients.” It is important to note, however, that this study’s sample size was extremely small given the scope of the discussion—finding a total of 52 adverse events associated with vaccination compared to 33 adverse events among placebo recipients.

Adverse Effects of Vaccination and What COVID Vaccine Injury Lawyers Can Do to Help

In any case, it is important for anyone who receives any vaccine to monitor for signs of potential adverse effects. Severe allergic reactions can be a significant concern, and all immunizations administered via injection in the shoulder present risks for shoulder injuries related to vaccine administration (SIRVA).

To date, it appears that these are the two primary health risks associated with the COVID vaccines. These are risks with other vaccines as well, and they are among the most common medical conditions cited in non-COVID-related claims under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). The signs of these medical conditions include:

  • Severe Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis) – Swelling, hives and a sudden drop in blood pressure are all telltale signs of anaphylaxis following a vaccination. The CDC advises seeking medical attention immediately if you believe you may be experiencing a severe allergic reaction to a COVID vaccine.
  • Shoulder Injuries Related to Vaccine Administration (SIRVA) – SIRVA can take many forms, and each form has its own set of symptoms. Generally speaking, however, shoulder pain and swelling that don’t go away after a COVID vaccination could be signs that medical attention is necessary.

What if you have concerns about a severe allergic reaction or SIRVA (or any other adverse effects) following a COVID vaccination? The most important thing is to see a doctor as soon as possible. But, you should also talk to a lawyer about your legal rights. Vaccine-related injuries can lead to substantial long-term costs (both financial and non-financial), and COVID vaccine injury lawyers may be able to help you recover just compensation.

Contact Our COVID Vaccine Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation

If you have questions about your legal rights following an immunization, our COVID vaccine injury lawyers are available to help you at no out-of-pocket cost. To schedule a free consultation at your convenience, give us a call at 202-775-9200 or tell us how we can reach you online today.