Each vaccine has slightly different side effects, but all are usually mild, and at worst are moderate. Common side effects can include pain at the injection site, muscle aches, headache, fatigue and sometimes fever.
These side effects are a sign the vaccine is working, and your body is mounting the immune response it needs to in order to protect you from severe COVID-19 infection. They are also much less severe and last for a shorter period of time than actual COVID-19 infection.
Concerns about developing infertility, Bell's palsy, alterations of the DNA, and autoimmune conditions are unfounded. These are not side effects of the vaccine and have not occurred more frequently than normal among those who have received the vaccine.
As with any medicine, there is a very remote chance of a vaccine causing a severe allergic reaction, other serious injury, or death. No severe side effects have been reported from the clinical trials.
Learn more about the differences between the vaccines