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Overview: Spikevax is used to help prevent COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). If you do get COVID-19, the vaccine can make the illness less severe and help prevent long COVID. Spikevax is a  mRNA vaccine, and it triggers your immune system to create antibodies, helping your body recognize and attack the virus. Common side effects include pain, redness, or swelling near the injection site, tiredness, headache, fever, chills, and muscle and joint pain.

Uses

What is Spikevax used for?

Spikevax (mRNA COVID-19 vaccine) is commonly used in certain people to help prevent COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It can make the illness less severe if you do get infected. COVID-19 can cause mild to severe illness and even lead to death. COVID symptoms may include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, muscle and body aches, headache, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can also cause a new loss of taste and/or smell.

Spikevax may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does Spikevax work (mechanism of action)?

Spikevax is a mRNA vaccine. It triggers your immune system to make antibodies to recognize and fight the virus that causes COVID-19. This can help prevent you from getting sick and make the illness less severe.

How should I store Spikevax?

Spikevax is usually given by a pharmacist or other health care provider in a pharmacy, hospital, or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Spikevax?

The most common side effects of Spikevax are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Pain, redness, or swelling near the injection site
  • Tiredness
  • Headache
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Joint pain
  • Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
  • Swelling and tenderness in the armpits or groin

There may be other side effects of Spikevax that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a vaccine. In the U.S., you can report side effects by filling out an online form at https://vaers.hhs.gov. or by calling 800-822-7967. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Spikevax?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Spikevax are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Spikevax may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Myocarditis and Pericarditis. Spikevax may rarely cause inflammation of the heart (myocarditis) or the surrounding lining (pericarditis). The risk for this is highest in the first week after vaccination. The risk is highest in men between the ages of 12 and 24 years old. Get emergency help if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat. You may also have tiredness or a lack of energy and stomach pain or vomiting that will not go away.

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Spikevax?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not get Spikevax.

  • Mnexspike
  • mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
  • Spikevax
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in Spikevax.

What should I know about Spikevax before using it?

Spikevax helps protect you from serious infections caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Not everyone who receives the vaccine will be fully protected.

A vaccine information statement should be provided by your health care provider to you before vaccination. This document provides information regarding the benefits and risks of the vaccine.

Your risk of dizziness or fainting, which may lead to a fall, is the highest within a few minutes after receiving the vaccine. Your health care provider may want to watch you for this time to ensure your safety.

Spikevax will not give you COVID-19. 

What should I tell my health care provider before using Spikevax?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if Spikevax is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Vaccines. Tell your health care provider if you have had a COVID-19 vaccine. You may need to wait a certain amount of time before getting Spikevax.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • An allergic reaction to any vaccine
  • A previous allergic reaction to any COVID-19 vaccine
  • A reaction to any previous vaccine, including fainting or Guillain-Barré syndrome
  • Fever or recent illness
  • Heart problems, including myocarditis or pericarditis
  • A weak immune system, get infections easily, or take medicines or treatments that suppress the immune system (such as radiation or chemotherapy)
  • Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C in children and MIS-A in adults)
  • Bleeding disorder or take a blood thinner medicine

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how the Spikevax vaccine could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if the Spikevax vaccine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

How can I get more information about Spikevax?

For more information about Spikevax, you can visit the drugmaker’s website at www.spikevax.com or call them at 866-663-3762.

Interactions

Does Spikevax interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Spikevax and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect Spikevax.

Does Spikevax interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

There are no known interactions between Spikevax and other medicines. Always tell your health care provider about all recent and upcoming vaccines, any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. 

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with Spikevax. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Spikevax?

Spikevax is given by a health care provider. Keep a record of all vaccines you receive and share it with your health care provider.

What should I do if I miss a dose of Spikevax?

Keep all appointments to receive Spikevax. If you miss an appointment to get Spikevax, call to make another appointment as soon as possible.