In a new study from Yale University, researchers found in rare cases, people who receive the two-dose Moderna COVID-19 vaccine may experience a red, itchy patch of skin a few days later at the injection site.
This “COVID arm” reaction, although annoying, was short-lived in all cases and was easily treated with topical steroid creams.
The researchers say that no serious vaccine adverse events occurred in association with these cutaneous skin reactions. The side effect is certainly no reason to avoid getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
In the study, the team found that raised, red and itchy blotches on COVID-19 vaccine recipients’ arms have been noted before and dubbed “COVID arm.”
They took a closer look at 16 such cases diagnosed in people aged 25 to 89 (average age 38).
Most (14) were white and 13 of the 16 patients were women, which was not surprising, the team said, because it’s known that women are more vulnerable than men to “hypersensitivity” reactions to vaccines, and they are also more likely to report such side effects to their doctors.
None of the COVID arm reactions arose at the time of vaccination. After the first dose of the Moderna vaccine, the skin reaction appeared anywhere from two to 12 days after the shot (average seven days).
Most people who had a skin reaction after the first shot also had a reaction after their second dose, typically two or so days after the injection.
The good news is treatment was available and most COVID arm cases faded away with an average duration of about three to five days.
Treatments included topical steroids, oral antihistamines and cool compresses. No such COVID arm reactions were observed in people who got the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
The team says that it is rare: In the clinical trial that led up to the vaccine’s approval, 312 such cases were noted out of more than 30,000 participants enrolled.
If you care about the COVID-19 vaccine, please read studies about two COVID vaccines effective against variant arising in California and findings of delaying second dose of COVID-19 vaccines may be a good strategy.
For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine and your health, please see recent studies about COVID-19 survivors may need just 1 dose of two-part vaccine and results showing that Moderna COVID vaccine can protect you for at least 6 months.
The study is published in JAMA Dermatology. One author of the study is Dr. Alicia Little.
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