What is VAERS?

VAERS is the nation's early warning system that monitors the safety of vaccines after they are authorized or licensed for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). VAERS is part of the larger vaccine safety system in the United States that helps make sure vaccines are safe. The system is co-managed by CDC and FDA.

VAERS accepts and analyzes reports of possible health problems- also called "adverse events"- after vaccination. As an early warning system, VAERS cannot prove that vaccine caused a problem. Specifically, a report to VAERS does not mean that a vaccine caused an adverse event. But VAERS can give CDC and FDA important information. If it looks as though a vaccine might be causing a problem, FDA and CDC will investigate further and take action if needed.

Anyone can submit a report to VAERS- healthcare professionals, vaccine manufacturers, and the general public. VAERS welcomes all reports, regardless of seriousness, and regardless  of how likely the vaccine may have been to have caused the adverse event.

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1. Who is eligible to receive a bivalent COVID-19 booster dose?
2. What is a bivalent COVID-19 booster dose?
3. Should I get a bivalent COVID-19 booster if I’ve previously gotten a booster?
4. Can I get a bivalent COVID-19 booster dose if I haven’t been vaccinated yet?
5. Can I mix and match my COVID-19 vaccine and booster?
6. If we need a booster dose, does that mean the vaccines are not working?
7. Where can I get the COVID-19 vaccine?
8. Who is eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine?
9. What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?
10. How do we know the COVID-19 vaccines are safe?
11. How does the COVID-19 vaccine work?
12. What does it mean to stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations?
13. Why should I consider vaccinating my child? 
14. If I have already had COVID-19 and recovered, do I still need to get vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine?
15. Do I need to pay for the vaccine?
16. What if I received a bill from my provider for the COVID-19 vaccine?
17. What is a vaccination record card?
18. If I have an underlying health condition, can I get a COVID-19 vaccine?
19. Can I get the COVID-19 vaccine if I've had an allergic reaction to a vaccine in the past?
20. Can I get a COVID-19 vaccine if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
21. Where can I report side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine?
22. What is VAERS?