Vaccines are now being distributed worldwide and as of Monday (March 22), approximately 1,071,908 shots have already been administered in Singapore. Although, those vaccinated feel more protected against COVID-19, fact is that the vaccination reactions or side effects are causing many to think twice.
Some of the side-effects of the vaccine include body pain, fatigue, vomiting, or severe flu-symptoms. The good news is that not everybody will experience these symptoms post vaccination. Some may feel absolutely nothing.
However, a recent research has found that women are more likely to experience these side-effects than men. And there is a very interesting reason for this phenomenon!
Women Experience Worse Vaccination Reactions Than Men
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In a recent CDC report on the first month of COVID-19 vaccinations in the US, results showed that women who received about 61 percent of the doses accounted for 79 percent of symptoms.
Within about the same time period, there were 66 vaccinated people that had a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis after they were inoculated with Pfizer or Moderna. Interestingly, only three of them were men.
Apparently, this isn’t a singular occurrence. In a previous study back in 2013, a group of scientists with the CDC and other institutions found that four times as many women compared to men experienced allergic reactions after they received the 2009 pandemic flu vaccine. This is even when more men received the shot.
Microbiologist and immunologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Sabra Klein told the New York Times that “This sex difference is completely consistent with past reports of other vaccines.”
Researchers Explain Why Vaccination Reactions Affect Women More Than Men
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As we know, women and men have different immune systems. This anatomical different causes their body to react differently to a variety of vaccines, according to a medical officer in the CDC’s Immunization Safety Office Julianne Gee. To further explain this concept, here are possible explanations, as shared by the experts:
1. Sex hormones
A major explanation for why vaccination reactions are worse for women is because cisgender females have more oestrogen and less testosterone as compared to males. Since both are bound to the surface of our immune cells, oestrogen can trigger the production of more antibodies. There are even times where they can amount up to twice as many in number, as a response to vaccines.
2. Genetics
It is also possible that genetics is one of the reasons why this happens. Since men are born with only one X chromosome. Women generally have two, which can be related to many immune-related genes.
3. The amount of dosage
According to the New York Times, past studies reveal that since women absorb drugs differently, they may need lower doses for the same effect as men.
While trials have not tested different doses for different sexes, it might be that women may need lower vaccine doses than men. So until the new COVID-19 vaccines are sufficiently separated by sex, experts express the need to discuss side-effects with women to avoid any fear.
It’s important for both women and men to know that any vaccination reactions they may come from getting vaccinated are mostly short-lived and mild. Some of the most common symptoms may include:
- Pain at the injection site
- Fatigue
A few of the less common vaccination reactions include:
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Chills
- Fever
- Swelling at the injection site
- Joint pain
- Nausea
If you do happen to experience side-effects after your vaccination, which is also said to occur mostly after the second dose, do not be alarmed. General vaccination reactions mean your immune system is correctly reacting to the vaccine. It’s a good sign that your body is preparing its defences against the virus in case of exposure.
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