{"id":39359,"date":"2021-08-19T09:30:57","date_gmt":"2021-08-19T13:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=39359"},"modified":"2021-11-22T11:01:15","modified_gmt":"2021-11-22T16:01:15","slug":"headache-after-covid-vaccine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/headache-after-covid-vaccine\/","title":{"rendered":"Is it normal to get a headache after the COVID vaccine?"},"content":{"rendered":"

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: As experts learn more about the novel coronavirus, news and information changes. For the latest on the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the<\/i>\u00a0Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/i><\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n

COVID-19 vaccination is the most effective way of protecting yourself (and your community) from infection with the potentially deadly coronavirus and putting an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. The <\/span>vaccine<\/span><\/a> may cause a variety of side effects\u2014more often occurring after the second dose than the first dose. And headache is one of the most common.\u00a0 Researchers agree that a headache after the COVID vaccine is usually mild and short lived, but knowing what to expect can help ease your mind and give you a game plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is it normal to get a headache after getting the COVID vaccine?<\/span><\/h2>\n

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), headache is a common, but mild, side effect of <\/span>all three COVID-19 vaccines<\/span><\/a> currently available in this country. That includes the <\/span>Pfizer-BioNtech<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Moderna<\/span><\/a> vaccines (both mRNA vaccines) and the <\/span>Johnson & Johnson viral vector vaccine<\/span><\/a>. The AstraZeneca vaccine, used in Europe and other parts of the world, is not available in the U.S.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRoughly 30% of people experience headache as a side effect [of COVID vaccination],\u201d says <\/span>Brian Grosberg, MD<\/span><\/a>, director of the Hartford HealthCare Headache Center. \u201cPeople may experience side effects like headaches from the vaccine because of the body\u2019s initial immune response.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The American Migraine Foundation<\/span><\/a> reports that the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine is most likely to produce a headache. Sixty percent of those receiving the vaccine experienced that side effect versus 40% of those getting the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and 38% of those given the Pfizer one.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How intense will the headache be? Every person is different. <\/span>Research<\/span><\/a> indicates that people younger than 55 and women tend to have more vaccine side effects. But when a headache does occur, it\u2019s usually not severe.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMany people will have no headache at all after receiving the COVID vaccine, some may have a mild headache, while others feel their headache is severe enough that it limits their activities for the day,\u201d says <\/span>Jason McKnight, MD<\/span><\/a>, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Medicine. \u201cTypically, though, all of the symptoms resolve within 1 to 3 days after vaccination.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Migraine after COVID vaccines<\/span><\/h2>\n

People who live with migraine may be particularly leery of any possible trigger, including the COVID vaccine. But experts report the concern is not scientifically valid. The benefits of being vaccinated against COVID\u2014for both the individual and the community\u2014outweigh the risk of headache.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no good data to substantiate that people impacted by migraine are at a higher likelihood to experience a headache from the vaccine,\u201d says Dr. Grosberg. \u201cThat being said, most people with migraine know that they are biologically more sensitive to certain triggers than can elicit a headache, one of which may be a vaccine. People with migraine should still receive the vaccine.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to treat headaches after COVID vaccines<\/span><\/h2>\n

It may be tempting to try and ward off any potential headache by treating yourself with painkillers like ibuprofen before you head out to get vaccinated, but healthcare providers advise against it. \u201cThese medications may blunt the immune response to the vaccination,\u201d notes Dr. McKnight. And, you may be part of the 60% of patients who do not get a headache.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over-the-counter pain relievers<\/span><\/h3>\n

If after the vaccination you have a headache, it\u2019s okay to take pain medication. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can also help with common side effects like a sore arm at the injection site and generalized muscle soreness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prescription medication<\/span><\/h3>\n

And if you do get a migraine after the COVID-19 vaccine, the American Migraine Foundation reports there\u2019s no evidence that migraine medications (such as <\/span>triptans<\/span><\/a>, ditans, and gepants) reduce the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere may be a wide degree of variability in terms of the intensity and duration of a COVID\u00a0 vaccine headache,\u201d comments Dr. Grosberg. \u201cBut many people who experience a headache or migraine as a side effect of the vaccine can successfully manage it with their normal medications, including but not limited to OTC remedies or migraine-specific medications like triptans or CGRP antagonists.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Migraine treatment and medications<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Lifestyle changes<\/span><\/h3>\n

While there\u2019s nothing you can do to prevent a post-vaccination headache, taking care of yourself before your shot can help you feel better. Get a good night\u2019s rest before your vaccination and drink plenty of fluids to make sure you\u2019re hydrated. <\/span>Dehydration can trigger headaches<\/span><\/a>, especially migraines. And if you know certain things\u2014such as particular foods or bright sunlight or cigarette smoke\u2014set off your headaches, avoid them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Other things that help <\/span>treat\/prevent a headache<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n