The 42nd Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) virtual meeting in May 2020 addressed pharmacovigilance preparedness for the launch of the future COVID-19 vaccines. One of their recommendations was that infrastructure and capacity for surveillance of the safety of COVID-19 vaccines should be in place in all countries and existing infrastructure be reactivated and engaged before a vaccine is introduced. This will require local, national, regional and global collaboration. Countries should include preparedness plans for COVID-19 vaccine safety in their overall plans for vaccine introduction, building on WHO guidance. The COVID-19 vaccine safety guidance manual has been developed upon recommendation and guidance of GACVS members, as well as by experts incorporating current and available information critical to all stakeholders when COVID-19 vaccines will be introduced.