Women report worse side effects after COVID-19 vaccine than men, study shows

As more people are vaccinated, there is a new trend emerging that shows women report worse side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine than men.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at the data from the first 13 million doses given to Americans, and just over 61% of those were given to women.

But nearly 80% of women reported side effects. Those ranged from a sore arm all the way up to an allergic reaction. The symptoms were mostly mild and didn’t last long.

Now, experts are trying to find out why those side effects are reported more in women.

First, even when side effects are the same, one expert told the New York Times women are more likely to report them in the first place.

Scientists also believe the size of the dose could be a factor since women absorb and metabolize drugs differently than men.

Lastly, the stronger side effects could be linked to a difference in hormones. Women produce up to twice as many infection-fighting antibodies in response to other vaccines, and that could be true with the COVID vaccine.

The FDA was aware of the side effects when they authorized the vaccines for emergency use. There was not enough research to show the differences in gender at that point.

Officials said the symptoms, even for women, are usually mild and short-lived.

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Cox Media Group