Coronavirus vaccine: Women more likely to suffer COVID-19 vaccine side-effects, here's why

COVID-19 vaccines have arrived like a ray of hope for the world suffering from the ills of the vaccine.

Accompanying the inoculation are certain side-effects, which, according to some can be harsh, feel like fighting a flu infection and take its toll on the body.

As normal as vaccine side-effects are, it has been long believed that those with a higher sensitivity may be more susceptible to developing severe side-effects. From chills, profuse sweating, flu-like symptoms, doctors are now warning people to take some time off after the vaccine appointment to fully recover.

However, from what is being increasingly seen now, there is a certain factor that influences your odds of getting harsher side-effects, i.e., being a woman.

According to new emerging researchers, women are more prone to getting vaccine side-effects than men.

While women tend to have a surprisingly lower risk of COVID-19 severity, the vulnerability to vaccines is rather intriguing. We explain how this can happen, and the ways to alleviate the unpleasant symptoms.

The differences observed aren't a one-off thing, but a highly observed problem globally. In fact, a recent study by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed data from the first 13.7 million COVID vaccine shots given to people of different ages. When it came to the side-effects, it was observed that a whopping 79.1 % were reported from women, as compared to men.

Adverse or serious side-effects with the vaccines are rarely observed. However, even amongst the ones reported, most reactions were noted in women.

As per the CDC study, it was also observed that 19 women who got the Moderna vaccine jab recorded an adverse event, while those with anaphylactic reactions were around 44% of those given the Pfizer shot.

Similar results, even though not analyzed or reviewed have been observed in people who have received the Oxford-Astrazeneca or Covaxin jab.

Even though the side-effects don't really alarm experts who believe it's just a sign of the immune system doing its job more perfectly, experiencing side-effects can be unpleasant and make it harder for a person to carry on with chores.

Some researchers also believe that part of the answer could also be behavioural. As per experts, women are more likely to report side-effects, or seek medical help than men, who on the contrary, are less likely to report side-effects, even if severe.

Biology, too, plays an important role here.

Just like women tend to have a stronger threshold to COVID-19 attacks and severity, the female immune system tends to be more robust and behave distinctly as compared to the male counterpart.

Some studies have also seen that women tend to produce more infection-fighting antibodies as compared to men.

Genetic differences, reproductive hormones can also influence the way a body reacts to a vaccine, pegging women to experience more side-effects, have antibodies than men.

While not clinically established yet, it has been observed that women absorb and harness drug sizes, or in these cases, vaccine doses differently than men. If given a higher than usual dose, women may be bound to display more adverse reactions as well.

It has also been observed with the previous vaccines being used-including the influenza vaccine, measles and mumps vaccine.

If you are a woman bound to get a COVID-19 vaccine shot, don't be afraid of suffering from extreme reactions.

However, if you are a little sensitive and have lower pain tolerance, it might be helpful to prepare yourself beforehand and manage any symptoms you may experience.

For example, swelling, pain at the injection site, stiffness can be managed by using hot/cold therapy or taking some mild pain relievers. High temperatures, though uncommon can also be brought down using antipyretic medicines or natural fever relievers.

As for the symptoms like chills, fatigue, ample rest and recovery are the only proven methods to resume back normalcy of life. Therefore, postpone appointments, and swear off stressful activities until 2-3 days after getting the vaccine. The more stressed you are, the more likely are you to experience bad side-effects.

Be sure to drink adequate water, eat well and stretch around to energize the body.