The number of seniors who reported adverse events after receiving COVID-19 vaccines varies depending on the data source, the type of vaccine, and the definition of adverse events. Generally, adverse events reported by seniors tend to be mostly mild and temporary, with serious adverse events being rare.
Older adults, particularly those aged 65 and above, were prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination due to their higher risk of severe illness and death from the virus. The vaccines authorized for use in seniors, such as Pfizer-BioNTech’s COMIRNATY and Moderna’s vaccines, underwent rigorous testing and monitoring to ensure safety and effectiveness in this age group.
Commonly reported adverse events among seniors after vaccination include mild side effects such as arm pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, fever, and chills. These symptoms typically last one to three days and are signs that the immune system is responding to the vaccine. These mild side effects are consistent with those seen in younger populations but may be reported less frequently or with less intensity in older adults.
Serious adverse events, such as severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart), have been reported but are very rare in seniors. Myocarditis and pericarditis have been observed more commonly in younger males aged 12 to 24 years, with symptoms usually appearing within a week after vaccination. In seniors, these conditions are much less common. Vaccination providers monitor recipients for at least 15 minutes after vaccination to manage any immediate severe allergic reactions.
There have been some safety signals regarding increased risks of certain conditions, such as stroke, in older adults following updated bivalent COVID-19 vaccines, but these findings are still under investigation and are considered rare compared to the benefits of vaccination in preventing severe COVID-19 outcomes.
Data from vaccine safety monitoring systems indicate that the vast majority of seniors tolerate COVID-19 vaccines well, with serious adverse events being extremely uncommon relative to the number of doses administered. For example, millions of doses have been given to seniors worldwide, and the incidence of severe adverse events remains very low compared to the protection vaccines provide against hospitalization and death from COVID-19.
It is important to note that while adverse events can occur, the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 is significantly higher in older adults who are unvaccinated
