At a glance
- V-safe is a vaccine safety monitoring system that lets you share with CDC how you or your dependent feel after getting a COVID-19 or RSV vaccine.
- Your participation in V-safe helps CDC monitor the safety of select vaccines.
- V-safe is one of several systems CDC uses to closely monitor the safety of vaccines in the United States.
- This page provides answers to frequently asked questions about V-safe.
What if I want to stop participating in V-safe?
Participation in V-safe is voluntary, and you can opt out at any time. To opt out, simply text "STOP" when V-safe sends you a text message. You can also click "unsubscribe" when V-safe sends you an email.
You can opt back in by changing your preferred method of contact back to email or SMS (text), found in your user profile.
I participated in V-safe for COVID-19 (during 2021-22) and for mpox. Can I enter my RSV vaccine in my current V-safe account?
No. If you previously registered for an account after receiving COVID-19 (during 2021-22) or mpox vaccines, you will need to create a new account to share your experience with any new vaccine(s).
Do I need to create a new V-safe account for each new vaccine I receive?
No. Once you sign up for V-safe, you can use the same account to enroll in multiple vaccines.
What should I do if I get an error message during signup?
Carefully check the information you entered, especially the verification code V-safe sends you. If all your information is correct, try closing the browser window and starting over. If you need additional assistance, contact the help desk by emailing CARS_HelpDesk@cdc.gov or by calling 1-833-748-1979.
Can I participate in V-safe if I don’t have a smartphone?
Yes. You can access V-safe using a computer or tablet with internet access or using a smartphone with text messaging service.
Whether or not you participate in V-safe, you can submit reports of adverse events (any side effect or health problem after vaccination that is concerning to you, even if you are not sure if the vaccine caused the event) following vaccination to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).
Do I need to download an app or pay to use V-safe?
No. You do not need to download an app to use V-safe. V-safe is free and contains no advertisements.
How long will I continue to receive check-in reminders?
During the first week after you get your vaccine, V-safe will send you a text message or email each day to ask how you are feeling. Then, V-safe will send a text or email once a week for up to 6 weeks.
If you signed up for V-safe for the maternal RSV vaccine, check-ins will continue until you report that you have delivered or report that you are no longer pregnant.
When do V-safe text and email links expire?
Text and email links for daily check-ins expire at 11:59 p.m. local time on the day you receive the link.
Text and email links for weekly check-ins expire at 11:59 p.m. local time on day 6 after you receive the link.
The final survey expires at 11:59 p.m. local time on day 6 after you receive the link.
Once a link to a check-in expires, the check-in is no longer available for completion. However, if you experience any adverse events after vaccination, you can always report them to VAERS.
Is my health information safe?
Your personal information in V-safe is protected so that it stays confidential and private. V-safe uses existing information systems managed by CDC, FDA and other federal agencies that employ strict data and information system security measures.
If I enter side effects into V-safe, does it alert my doctor?
No. V-safe does not alert your doctor or other healthcare provider of side effects that you report. If you have symptoms or health problems that concern you at any time following vaccination, contact your healthcare provider, or go to the emergency room.
In addition, if you have not been able to report how you are feeling in V-safe (because of a missed or expired check-in), you can report adverse events following vaccination to VAERS.
I was not able to finish my check-in. What should I do?
If you are not able to finish your check-in, you can try again until 11:59 p.m. that day. Links to V-safe daily check-ins expire at 11:59 p.m. local time on the day you receive the link, so it's important to finish the check-in quickly. Weekly check-ins expire at 11:59 p.m. local time on day 6 after you receive the link. Once a link expires, you will not receive a new one; that check-in is missed.
When you're ready for your check-in, log in to your profile at vsafe.cdc.gov. You can also click the link in the email or text message reminder to complete your check-in.
You will not be able to make changes to your responses once they have been submitted.
Will CDC ever call me directly to follow up on my V-safe responses?
No. Depending on the answers you provide during the check-ins, you may receive a message (by email or text) asking you to give more information about your vaccination experience and side effects by completing a VAERS report.
What should I do if I am traveling and get an error message?
You can only access check-ins from within the United States and U.S. territories. If you are traveling outside of the United States or U.S. territories, check-ins are not accessible from mobile devices or email.
What are the V-safe text message (SMS) terms of use?
When registering for and using V-safe, you will receive regular notifications via text message.
- To opt out of receiving text messages at any time, text "STOP" to the short code. You can opt back in by changing your preferred method of contact in your user profile.
- If at any time you need assistance, email the help desk at CARS_HelpDesk@cdc.gov or call 1-833-748-1979.
- Wireless providers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.
- Message and data rates may apply.
- Message frequency varies. Please see "How long will I continue to receive check-in reminders" above for additional details.
- If you have any questions about your text plan or data plan, it is best to contact your wireless provider.
- If you have questions regarding privacy, please visit our privacy policy page.