If staff experience commonly reported side effects from the vaccine, are they expected to quarantine? How long after the symptoms subside can staff return to work in person?

Staff do not need to quarantine if they are experiencing side effect symptoms from either dose. (See below for side effects for each vaccine). As always, if a staff member has a fever they must stay home until fever free without the use of medication and feeling better.  

Please note: If the staff member has had an exposure to a person with COVID-19 or someone with COVID-like illness, the staff member should quarantine. In addition, if the symptoms are different than what is listed below, the staff member should contact their health care provider.

Find additional information on health checks, symptoms and positive COVID tests online. 

These side effects usually start within a day or two of getting the vaccine. They might feel like flu symptoms and might even affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days. Side effects throughout the body are reported as being more common after the second dose of the vaccine.

Moderna and Pfizer vaccine side effects:

• In the arm where you got the shot:
  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Redness
• Throughout the rest of your body:
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Tiredness
  • Headache