The potential side effects of the COVID vaccine often scare many people as they prepare to get their shot. However, the experience is different for many. These reactions have left health experts wondering why so many are having such varying reactions.
A study done by the CDC states that women have more adverse side effects than men in most cases. 79% of women reported side effects such as headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
Experts are starting to believe women have stronger side effects due to estrogen. Estrogen is known to activate the body’s immune response to illnesses. Premenopausal women often have an even stronger response to the vaccines. However, women’s bodies seem to respond stronger and quicker to the vaccine.
While women have higher estrogen levels, men usually have higher levels of testosterone. Testosterone may be the culprit when it comes to slowing down the immune system. Vaccines have a more significant response to estrogen levels. Estrogen helps the body make more T-cells which also causes a strong reaction. This doesn’t just happen with the COVID-19 vaccine, but has also been reported with multiple vaccines.
The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published research that stated numerous rare anaphylactic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccine happened to primary women. This is not just happening with the COVID vaccine, though; in 2019, the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology stated that 80 percent of people that reported anaphylactic reactions to different vaccines were women.
This research doesn’t seem to worry the majority of health personnel or scientists. The past shows a consistent state with vaccines. These reports shouldn’t stop women from getting the vaccine seeing as COVID-19 poses a much greater risk than side effects. Health experts say that anyone can suffer side effects from any vaccine. Those getting the vaccine should be ready to handle those effects no matter their gender.
There are no concrete answers as to why anyone has adverse reactions to these immunizations, but health experts say it is essential to prepare for these reactions as much as possible. Don’t let fear keep you away from the vaccine, but know the potential side effects and how you may react to them. The good news is the side effects mean your immune system is working, and the vaccine is working to keep you safe from the COVID-19 virus altogether.