A recent study investigating adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines is being misrepresented online. One popular post, which does not link to or even name the study, highlights that the researchers found that people with prior COVID-19 infections were more likely to have adverse reactions after COVID-19 vaccination. The post falsely claims that vaccination after infection is “all risk, no benefit.”
Messaging may highlight that the study found that serious adverse reactions were very rare and that increased risk was for mild, self-reported side effects like injection site reaction, headache, and fever. These side effects are normal and expected after vaccination, and most were resolved within 36 hours. Messaging may also reiterate that this study confirmed that the risks of COVID-19 vaccination in people with prior infection are low, especially compared to the benefits. An analysis of 26 studies found that hybrid immunity was far more effective against infection and severe illness than immunity from infection alone.
