SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – There is a trend on the rise as vaccinations in the United States reach nearly 100 million: More women are reporting after effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Of the nearly 100 million COVID-19 vaccines administered, 61% were female. Most of those women reported side effects. A recent CDC report found that as of late February, side effects reports were more common in women.
Lisa Cillessen, a clinical pharmacist at Jordan Valley Health Center, said, “There are reports that women have a stronger immune response from vaccines, leading to more side effects from the vaccines.”
One theory for a stronger response in women is a difference in hormones, such as lower testosterone compared to men.
“Testosterone can be immunosuppressive. Men have more testosterone in their system, so that could cause less immune response, ”said Cillessen.
Responses to vaccines in women are nothing new. Research from the Center for Disease Control shows that women are more responsive to different vaccines, such as flu vaccines, hepatitis B and measles.
The trend can also be behavioral. Women are more likely to report their vaccine after effects.
“Women are often more likely to report such things. They also go to the doctor’s office more often, ”said Cillessen.
Mercy Hospital warns everyone to be prepared to see side effects after the first and second dose. The consequences of the vaccine vary from person to person.
Dr. Heather Dearing, an infectious disease physician at Mercy Hospital, said, “With every vaccine, there are side effects, not just the COVID vaccine, muscle pain, joint pain, fever, site pain.”
Side effects begin to appear 12 to 24 hours after the dose. Most of these side effects are mild and disappear within 36 hours.
Dr. Dearing says these side effects won’t stop you from getting the vaccine.
“I would be more concerned if I had no response at all. That would make me think that my body is not responding to that vaccine and then I am not covered as positively, ”said Dr. Dearing.
If you experience any side effects from the vaccine you will be asked to report them. You can report your side effects using the two reporting tools below.
Vaccine Adverse Reaction Reporting System (VAERS) is an existing national vaccine surveillance system. VAERS accepts reports from health care providers, vaccine manufacturers and the public.
V-safe is a safety monitoring system set up by the CDC specifically for the COVID-19 vaccine. After registration, an SMS will be sent with links to web surveys. The week after vaccination, you will be asked to complete daily surveys asking for responses. You will also be asked if any work was missed because of the vaccine, or if you were unable to perform routine activities.
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