COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA Bivalent (Moderna)

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 disease is caused by a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. This type of coronavirus has not been seen before. You can get COVID-19 through contact with another person who has the virus. It is predominantly a respiratory (lung) illness, but it can also affect other organs. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported, ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms may include: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

How is the COVID-19, mRNA, bivalent (Moderna) vaccine given?

The COVID-19, mRNA, bivalent (Moderna) vaccine will be given to you as an injection into the muscle.

What should you tell the person who is giving the vaccine?

Tell your vaccine provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

  • have any allergies.

  • have had myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) or pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart).

  • have a fever.

  • have a bleeding disorder or are on a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

  • have a weakened immune system or are on a medicine that affects your immune system.

  • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

  • are breastfeeding.

  • have received another COVID-19 vaccine.

  • have ever fainted after getting a vaccine or a shot

  • have had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine.

  • have had a serious allergic reaction to any ingredient in this vaccine.

What are the benefits of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine?

In ongoing clinical trials, the COVID-19, mRNA, bivalent vaccine has been shown to prevent COVID-19 against the two known circulating strains of the virus (original and Omicron). How long you are protected against COVID-19 is currently unknown.

What are the risks of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine?

Side effects that have been reported with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine include:

  • injection site pain, swelling, and redness

  • tenderness and swelling of lymph nodes (in the same arm where you got the injection)

  • tiredness

  • headache

  • muscle pain

  • joint pain

  • chills

  • nausea

  • vomiting

  • fever

  • rash

  • fainting at the time you receive your injection

There is a remote chance that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine could cause a severe allergic reaction. A severe allergic reaction would usually occur within a few minutes to one hour after getting a dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • difficulty breathing

  • swelling of your face and throat

  • a fast heartbeat

  • a bad rash all over your body

  • dizziness and weakness

Myocarditis and pericarditis have occurred in some people who have received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, more commonly in males under 40 years of age than among females and older males. In most of these people, symptoms began within a few days after getting the second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. The chance of having this occur is very low.

You should seek medical attention right away if you have any of the following symptoms after receiving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine:

  • chest pain

  • shortness of breath

  • feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart

These may not be all the possible side effects of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Serious and unexpected side effects may occur. Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is still being studied in clinical trials.

What should I do about side effects?

What should I do about side effects?:

  • If you experience a severe allergic reaction, call 9-1-1, or go to the nearest hospital.

  • Call the vaccination provider or your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away.

  • Report vaccine side effects to FDA/CDC Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). The VAERS toll-free number is 1-800-822-7967 or report online to https://vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html . Please include "Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine EUA" or "Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent EUA", as appropriate, in the first line of box #18 of the report form.

  • In addition, you can report side effects to ModernaTX, Inc. at 1-866-663-3762.

  • You may also be given an option to enroll in v-safe. V-safe is a new voluntary smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to check in with people who have been vaccinated to identify potential side effects after COVID-19 vaccination. V-safe asks questions that help CDC monitor the safety of COVID-19 vaccines. V-safe also provides second-dose reminders if needed and live telephone follow-up by CDC if participants report a significant health impact following COVID-19 vaccination. For more information on how to sign up, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/vsafe .

What if I am immunocompromised?

If you are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system), you may not have as good of a response to COVID-19 vaccine, mRNA, bivalent (Moderna). However, no data currently exists to support giving additional vaccine doses to immunocompromised.

Will the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine give me COVID-19?

No. The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine does not contain SARS-CoV-2 and cannot give you COVID-19.

Keep your vaccination card

When you get your first dose, you will get a vaccination card to show you when to return for your second dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. If you are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system), you may receive information on when to return for a third dose. Remember to bring your card when you return.

Where will my vaccination information be recorded?

The vaccination provider may include your vaccination information in your state/local jurisdiction's Immunization Information System (IIS) or other designated system. This will ensure that you receive the same vaccine when you return for your next dose of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. For more information about IISs visit: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/iis/about.html.

How can I learn more?

You can learn more:

Can I be charged an administration fee for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?

No. At this time, the provider cannot charge you for a vaccine dose and you cannot be charged an out-of-pocket vaccine administration fee or any other fee if only receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. However, vaccination providers may seek appropriate reimbursement from a program or plan that covers COVID-19 vaccine administration fees for the vaccine recipient (private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, HRSA COVID-19 Uninsured Program for non-insured recipients).

Where can I report cases of suspected fraud?

Individuals becoming aware of any potential violations of the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Program requirements are encouraged to report them to the Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, at 1-800-HHS-TIPS or TIPS.HHS.GOV.

What is the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program?

The Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP) is a federal program that may help pay for costs of medical care and other specific expenses of certain people who have been seriously injured by certain medicines or vaccines, including this vaccine. Generally, a claim must be submitted to the CICP within one year from the date of receiving the vaccine. To learn more about this program, visit http://www.hrsa.gov/cicp/ or call 1-855-266-2427.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS ® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2023. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists ® , 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: May 15, 2023.