Will I get infected if I accidentally touch the injection site after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?
Dec 08, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, if hands are clean when touching the injection site and the puncture wound has naturally closed without discharge or damage after vaccination, infection will not occur. The skin is strictly disinfected during vaccination, and once the needle puncture closes, it forms a natural barrier. Clean hands do not carry pathogenic bacteria and cannot breach this barrier to cause infection, so there is no need for excessive concern.
Generally, touching the injection site with your hand after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine will not cause infection. The risk is extremely low if your hands are clean and the injection site is intact without any open wound. However, the risk may increase if your hands are unclean or if the injection site is not fully healed or has been damaged. If you have concerns, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional in advance. Detailed explanations are as follows:
If your hands are clean when touching the injection site and the puncture wound has naturally closed without discharge or damage, infection will not occur. The skin is strictly disinfected during vaccination, and once the needle puncture closes, it forms a natural barrier. Clean hands do not carry pathogenic bacteria and thus cannot breach this barrier to cause infection, so there is no need for excessive concern.
However, if your hands are contaminated with dirt or bacteria, or if the injection site remains open with fluid leakage or has been scratched and damaged, the risk of infection may increase. Pathogenic bacteria from dirty hands may enter the skin through an unhealed puncture site, potentially causing local symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain, or pus formation, which could affect recovery at the injection site.
After receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, press the injection site as instructed until bleeding stops. Keep the injection area clean and dry for at least 24 hours post-vaccination. Avoid touching or scratching the site with unclean hands. If you notice abnormalities such as increasing redness, swelling, or pain at the injection site, seek medical attention promptly to ensure proper recovery.
