Real-life safety profile of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19: An analysis of VAERS database

•Pharmacovigilance activities after authorisation are required to ensure vaccine safety over time.•Common AEFI for both vaccines were headache, fatigue, pyrexia, dizziness, nausea, pain, chills, and pain in extremity.•A disproportionality was found for BNT162b2 as compared with mRNA-1273 for myocarditis, Bell’s palsy, and anaphylactic shock.•Some rare AEFIs were identified, but the data have given further evidence of the favourable safety profile of mRNA vaccines.