Expert Tips for Reducing Symptoms and Maximizing Benefits
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Let’s be real: The thought of having a sore arm, fatigue, or just feeling lousy all over can make many of us put off scheduling a vaccine.
While it is true that vaccines may be associated with certain side effects (as with any medical intervention), it’s important to emphasize that the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks, and most side effects are mild and go away in a day or two.
But why do some people get hit harder than others by the aftereffects of a jab? And are there ways to minimize side effect symptoms of getting a vaccine without impacting the efficacy?
Here’s what you need to know about vaccine side effects and expert tips in reducing their impact — while keeping all the protective benefits.
What Are Vaccine Side Effects?
Vaccine side effects are any observable changes or reactions that occur after receiving a vaccine. These effects can range from mild, such as soreness at the injection site or low-grade fever, to less common but potentially serious reactions.
Most people don’t have serious side effects from vaccines, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The specific type and frequency of side effects can vary depending on the type of vaccine, the individual’s age, and their overall health. In general, most side effects are mild and temporary, lasting only a few days.
The most common side effects of vaccines include:
- Soreness, redness, or swelling where the shot was given
- Low-grade fever
- Chills
- Fatigue or mild body and muscle aches
- Headache
- Nausea or mild upset stomach
Fainting is less common but can happen after any medical procedure, including vaccinations.
Why Do Vaccines Have Side Effects?
Vaccines work by helping the body learn how to fight against a disease without the dangers of full-blown infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A vaccine contains weakened or inactive parts of the disease-causing organism (called an antigen), or a blueprint for producing the antigen that prompts the immune system to respond.
The good news: Most common side effects are a sign that the body is starting to build immunity against a disease.
Why Do Some Vaccines Make Us Feel Worse Than Others?
There are different reasons for reactions to vaccines, says Eugene Shapiro, MD, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Yale Medicine. “For example, local reactions like pain and swelling at the site of the injection, which is caused by inflammation from injection itself, may occur just as you would get pain and swelling from a bruise or a penetrating injury such as a piece of glass or a nail,” he says.
Sometimes the local reaction is a response to the adjuvant in the formulation, Dr. Shapiro says.
Adjuvants are chemicals added to vaccines that stimulate the immune system to have a stronger immune response, he explains.
Because most vaccines developed today include small parts of germs, such as their proteins, rather than the entire virus or bacteria, an adjuvant is necessary to help the body produce a strong enough immune response, according to the CDC. These have been safely used in vaccines for more than 70 years.
Not only can adjuvanted vaccines cause more local reactions, they are also associated with more symptoms affecting the whole body, like fever, chills, and body aches.
Why Do Some People Have Zero Issues With Vaccine Side Effects While Others Get Hit Harder?
Typically, the non-local side effects are the result of cytokines that increase in response to exposure to the content of the vaccine, explains Shapiro.
Cytokines are chemical signals produced by the body’s own immune cells that result in symptoms like fatigue, fever, and generalized muscle aches, he says. “There is considerable variation between people in how they may respond to a vaccine and even to second or third doses of the same vaccine,” says Shapiro.
In a study published in September 2020 in the journal Immunity, women reported more adverse side effects compared to men after receiving one or two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The flu shot also causes a higher antibody response, more adverse reactions, and greater efficacy in females compared to males, according to a study published in NPJ Vaccines. Although it isn’t completely clear why, researchers believe it’s related to hormonal and genetic differences between the sexes.
Data also suggests that older people report fewer side effects compared to younger people.
If I Don’t Have Side Effects, Does that Mean the Vaccine Isn’t Working? Or Does Experiencing Side Effects Mean the Vaccine Is Working Well?
To put it simply, no, says Shapiro. “You may have a good response to a vaccine even if you don’t have side effects. If you do have generalized side effects, it suggests that you are responding, although it does not necessarily mean that your response is better or more long-lasting than that of someone with few side effects,” he says.
Does Getting Multiple Vaccines at the Same Time Make the Side Effects Worse?
If you have a history of having strong reactions and uncomfortable side effects with vaccines, you may want to space out your vaccines rather than getting two or more at once, says Sten Vermund, MD, PhD, a professor of public health, infectious disease epidemiologist, and pediatrician at Yale Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut.
If the side effects of last year’s flu or COVID-19 vaccine hit you hard, you could reasonably expect it to do the same this year, says Dr. Vermund. “So that’s where the doctor and the patient or the nurse and the patient can work out an arrangement to do what’s most comfortable and successful for each individual,” he says.
If you receive multiple vaccines at the same time, any side effects you might have could occur at the same time, says Ana Weil, MD, MPH, a researcher and infectious disease specialist with UW Medicine in Seattle. “It doesn’t mean that those side effects are worse from an individual vaccine, but if they happened at the same time, you can imagine that that might cause more symptoms,” she says.
1 Arm or 2 Arms When Getting More Than 1 Vaccine?
Two shots, two arms? That all depends on your preference, says Vermund. “Some people find it less painful to do one in each arm, but others are reluctant to have a sore left arm and a sore right arm at the same time,” he says.
Is It Okay to Take a Pain Reliever Before the Vaccine?
It’s generally not recommended to take pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen before vaccination to try to prevent side effects from vaccines, per the CDC. If you are concerned about the vaccine triggering a headache or other types of pain, talk with your doctor before getting your shot.
What Are the Best Ways to Treat Side Effects From Vaccines?
“An ice pack is a tried and true measure to reduce local inflammation. That is a way of reducing the inflammation and pressure in the arm, and often adequate to relieve discomfort,” says Vermund.
For more generalized symptoms, NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and aspirin can be used as directed by your provider, he says. “Some people report feeling overall fatigue after the COVID vaccine. In that case get some rest and typically you’ll feel better by the next day,” says Vermund.
Does Exercise After the Flu Shot or COVID-19 Vaccine Help Reduce Side Effects?
Although there isn’t any conclusive evidence that exercise helps relieve side effects, it doesn’t make them any worse either. But if you feel like getting some physical activity post-jab, it can boost the immunity response generated by the vaccine — without a corresponding increase in side effects, according to a study published in May 2022 in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.
What to Do in the Case of a Serious Adverse Reaction to a Vaccine
Serious side effects from vaccines are extremely rare — often only 1 or 2 people out of one million vaccine doses will be affected, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Signs of a severe allergic reaction can include difficulty breathing, swelling of the face and throat, a fast heartbeat, a bad rash all over the body, and dizziness and weakness. If you experience this type of reaction after a vaccine, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.
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