Whether pain at the injection site or in the whole arm – both are known side effects after a Covid 19 vaccination. FITBOOK asked an immunologist what the reaction means and how those affected can best deal with it.
Pain at the injection site after vaccination is not uncommon. The so-called Covid arm has now been observed as a relatively new phenomenon. This is pain that only occurs days after the injection and also affects the entire arm. What is it all about, is there cause for concern and what helps to alleviate it? The Würzburg immunologist and vaccination expert Prof. Martina Prelog has the answers.
The reason for pain at the injection site after corona vaccination
«The reaction actually occurs with up to 80 percent of all vaccinations, especially with mRNA substances such as those from Moderna or BioNTech/Pfizer,» explains Prelog. «This is a completely normal immunological reaction.» You can imagine it like this: «The genetic blueprint of the spike molecule is introduced via the spike. The body’s own cells then take over and present it to the immune system.” After successfully “getting to know each other”, the organism forms the desired antibodies as a reaction. In order for this to happen, a small inflammation is needed – in a positive sense. And this becomes noticeable through pain, redness, slight swelling or even heat. «You can rest easy, it’s actually a sign that the vaccine is working.»
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«Covid arm» – when it starts to hurt a week after the corona vaccination
A relatively recently observed phenomenon is the so-called Covid arm, which in many cases only occurs a week after vaccination. This becomes noticeable through pain and a feeling of heaviness, so that even the slightest strain is uncomfortable. But even that will pass after a few days, the vaccination expert assures. “The Covid arm is a hypersensitivity reaction of the skin and tissue. It is also a sign that the body is building up an immune system. This is not harmful to health and, above all, no reason to suspend or delay the second vaccination.” According to a publication by the Paul Ehrlich Institute, the exact mechanism behind this is not yet known. Women are affected slightly more often than men. With vector vaccines (AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson), the reaction occurs much less frequently. Prelog advises: «If the pain gets worse, always have it examined by a doctor.»
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Do not take painkillers as a precaution
The vaccination expert clearly advises against taking anti-inflammatory painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen as a precaution before the vaccination appointment. «By inhibiting the important inflammatory reaction, they also inhibit the immune response.» Taking it a few days after the vaccination is not a problem.
It is important for the time before and after: Do not overexert yourself, it is better to take a break from training and cool your arm if you have pain after the vaccination. And: If you don’t have any side effects, you don’t have to worry either, emphasizes Prof. Martina Prelog: «In the studies that I accompanied, the vaccination response in healthy people was always excellent. It doesn’t matter whether they had reactions or not.”