What is the COVID Arm?

By Dr. Shelly Walters (Theobald)

Wow! I am so proud of this community! We have already vaccinated 3,432 people here in the Clearwater Valley region. Thank you all for doing your part to keep our community safe!

Since the initiation of vaccines I have had several patients come back with concern for redness and rash in the arm that they received the vaccine in. The rash can be alarming and scary and the question is always “is this an allergic reaction?” “Should I get the second COVID shot or COVID vaccines in the future?”

For anyone out there who has experienced this or knows someone who had this, this is completely normal! There is no cause for alarm and YES you can get further COVID vaccines.

Along with the regular harmless side effects which were discussed in a previous article (fatigue, sore arm etc.), some people can also develop swollen lymph nodes or an arm rash also known as “COVID arm.”

 

This is especially common in those who have received the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines.

 

The rash is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction and usually shows up a few days to a week after the injection and can last for up to 1 week.

 

Dr. Roy with Yale Medicine states “While the rash can be annoying and a little painful, it’s harmless and just shows your immune system is doing its job and reacting to something foreign entering your body, Dr. Roy explains. “It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get your second dose if you had this after your first shot, but you might want to get your second dose in your other arm.”

 

We still have lots of vaccines at the Orofino Health Center and it is now open for anyone 16 and older. So if you or your loved ones have not received the vaccine yet, please give us a call and we will get you set up. (208) 476-4555. Although, keep in mind the Pfizer vaccine is the only one that can be given to 16+ year olds. The Moderna vaccine is only for 18+ year olds. We do not currently have the Pfizer vaccine in our clinic but there are other places you can go including North Idaho Public Health in Lewiston. You can also register online at https://coronavirus.idaho.gov.

 

Have a blessed and beautiful day!