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First Australian COVID-19 active vaccine safety data now available

The first Australian COVID-19 active vaccine safety surveillance data are now available from AusVaxSafety. 

AusVaxSafety active vaccine safety surveillance uses a short survey sent by SMS/email to collect reports of adverse events following immunisation directly from the people receiving COVID-19 vaccines. 

An adverse event following immunisation (AEFI) is any untoward event which follows immunisation and which does not necessarily have a causal relationship with the use of the vaccine.

In summary from surveys received up to 28 February 2021 in the first week of vaccination in Australia:

  • 7,397 people responded to an SMS/email about their health in the three days after their COVID-19 vaccination
  • 64.4% reported no adverse event
  • 35.6% reported any adverse event
  • 0.7% reported seeing a doctor (most were GP visits) in the days after vaccination. This is a similar rate reported following other vaccines

The most commonly reported symptoms were pain at the injection site, fatigue and headache. These symptoms are known to occur after vaccination. They are generally mild and short-lived. As with any adverse event reports, not all symptoms reported may be caused by the vaccine; they may be coincidental and due to other causes. 

These results are consistent with those seen in clinical trials and with other vaccines, reaffirming the safety of the current vaccine in use in Australia.

View the AusVaxSafety COVID-19 vaccination surveillance data here

The safety data will be updated weekly.

Read more about how AusVaxSafety is conducting national COVID-19 vaccine safety surveillance in Australia here.