X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parenting & Play by Friso
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Ages & Stages
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-schooler
    • Kids
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • Money Parenting
    • Tips for Parents
    • Tips for Toddlers
    • Tips for Older Kids
    • The 5 Personas
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Here's Why Women Experience Worse COVID-19 Vaccine Reactions As Compared To Men

4 min read
Here's Why Women Experience Worse COVID-19 Vaccine Reactions As Compared To MenHere's Why Women Experience Worse COVID-19 Vaccine Reactions As Compared To Men

It's not just about sex hormones and genetics, there is more to it than meets the eye!

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

Heres Why Women Experience Worse COVID-19 Vaccine Reactions As Compared To Men

Image source: iStock

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

vaccination reactions

Image source: iStock

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.

ALSO READ:

Singapore To Monitor Trials Of COVID-19 Vaccine Effects On Kids

Why Don’t They Inject Into Your Butt? We Ask A GP All Our Burning Questions About The Covid-19 Vaccine

Heres Why Women Experience Worse COVID-19 Vaccine Reactions As Compared To Men

Partner Stories
6 Top Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash
6 Top Ways to Prevent Diaper Rash
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Experiencing Mood Swings, Irregular Periods and Weight Gain Among Other Things? Here’s What You Need to Know About Hormonal Imbalance
Is the Spice in Your Life Taking a Toll on Your Tummy?
Is the Spice in Your Life Taking a Toll on Your Tummy?
Read This Before You Enjoy the Satisfaction of Cracking Your Joints!
Read This Before You Enjoy the Satisfaction of Cracking Your Joints!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Ally Villar

  • Home
  • /
  • Vaccinations
  • /
  • Here's Why Women Experience Worse COVID-19 Vaccine Reactions As Compared To Men
Share:
  • 7 Covid-19 Vaccine Myths That Parents Need To Think Twice About Before Believing

    7 Covid-19 Vaccine Myths That Parents Need To Think Twice About Before Believing

  • 5 Ways To Prepare Your Child For The COVID-19 Vaccine

    5 Ways To Prepare Your Child For The COVID-19 Vaccine

  • Delivery Rider Works 16 Hours a Day for Family, Realises Wife Cheating On Him, Son Not Biologically His

    Delivery Rider Works 16 Hours a Day for Family, Realises Wife Cheating On Him, Son Not Biologically His

  • Why it's getting harder to keep baby safe in this world

    Why it's getting harder to keep baby safe in this world

app info
get app banner
  • 7 Covid-19 Vaccine Myths That Parents Need To Think Twice About Before Believing

    7 Covid-19 Vaccine Myths That Parents Need To Think Twice About Before Believing

  • 5 Ways To Prepare Your Child For The COVID-19 Vaccine

    5 Ways To Prepare Your Child For The COVID-19 Vaccine

  • Delivery Rider Works 16 Hours a Day for Family, Realises Wife Cheating On Him, Son Not Biologically His

    Delivery Rider Works 16 Hours a Day for Family, Realises Wife Cheating On Him, Son Not Biologically His

  • Why it's getting harder to keep baby safe in this world

    Why it's getting harder to keep baby safe in this world

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2022. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.