Why you may have a rash a few days after the Moderna vaccine

When my husband Nathan first learned that he was eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, we were elated. I spent most of the year worrying that he would contract the virus while working in the healthcare industry five days a week. And, while we knew the vaccine could have side effects, they paled in comparison to what he might feel if he got infected. I know this all too well because I had COVID-19 last spring when cases first exploded in New York City.

Nathan made an appointment to receive his first dose of Moderna vaccine on a Saturday morning, believing it would save him time before he had to return to work if he had any side effects. We knew side effects were unlikely after the first vaccine, but that would put him on track to receive his second dose – which is more likely to cause symptoms like a mild fever or headache – on exactly four Saturday. weeks later.

For Nathan, the shot was painless. He stayed for a short time to be watched, and then, showing no signs of an allergic reaction, he returned home. That afternoon, his arm was sore – as it would be after getting the flu shot – but as expected, he had no other symptoms. The pain persisted into the next day and had started to subside on Monday. But after taking a shower that night, he noticed something he hadn’t seen before: a blush on his arm.

He walked into the room to show me, and it was there: a slight but undeniable rash, like two perfect pink marks where he had been injected. I told her to save it in CDC’s tracking app, V-safe, but don’t worry as injection site redness is not uncommon after getting an injection. What I didn’t know at the time was that this reaction is actually unique to the Moderna vaccine.

Jan 27, USA today have reported that some people who receive the Moderna vaccine develop a rash that doctors call “delayed skin hypersensitivity”. This is unusual in that unlike other side effects, it usually doesn’t appear until five to nine days after the first shot. While the exact cause is unknown – it could be a mild allergic reaction or just a sign the immune system is reacting – doctors say the rash is harmless. And that’s no reason to avoid getting a second dose of the vaccine.

“We want to reassure people that this is a known phenomenon,” said Esther Freeman, MD, PhD, director of global health dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital. USA today. “Having a big red spot on your arm for a few days might not be fun, but the reality is there is no need to panic and no reason not to take your second hit.”

Dr Freeman explained that the rash may be itchy or painful (in this case, take an antihistamine or acetaminophen), but it should go away within a week. If it doesn’t, or if the rash appears on other parts of your body, it’s time to talk to your doctor.

The redness on Nathan’s arm was neither painful nor itchy, and by Wednesday night, two days after the rash first appeared, it was gone. And so, by the time of his next dose, he’ll be there – just as impatient and grateful as he was the first time.