As as we know, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge impact on the United States, with twenty million cases and more than three hundred and fifty thousand deaths since January 2020. Despite the sobering effect that COVID-19 has had so far, it’s important to note that there is a little light at the end of the tunnel with the release of multiple COVID-19 vaccines. In the past, these vaccines have been restricted to high-risk individuals including folks in nursing homes and healthcare professionals. However, this vaccine is now being distributed to the general population, and many folks have questions on its safety, effectiveness, and clinical risks. This brief article goes over the top 5 questions that I hear about the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and discusses how it can affect your migraines.
Question 1: What is the the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine?
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (BNT162b2) is a mRNA vaccine used to protect against COVID-19. It’s administered by a shot in the muscle of the upper arm. It’s administered in two shots, given 21 days apart.
Question 2: How does it differ from the Moderna and AstraZeneca Vaccine?
Although there are several COVID-19 vaccines in the pipeline, only the Moderna vaccine (mRNA-1273) and Pfizer are approved in the US. Both of these vaccines are mRNA vaccines which do *not* use a live virus to spur immunity. Both of these vaccines also have high effectiveness rates above 90% (if individuals receive both shots). The data on AstraZeneca has been variable, with rates between 62% to 90% in Phase 3 trials. Although AstraZeneca has not shown the high effectiveness of its peers, it doesn’t need to be transported in cold storage, and is significantly cheaper than both Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines.
What side effects are seen with the Pfizer vaccine?
The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine has several possible side effects, including:
- Pain at injection site
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Fever
- Chills
- Diarrhea
- Muscle Pain
- Joint Pain
In reported literature, both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were associated with headaches. 41% of patients receiving the Pfizer vaccine got a headache after their first injection, and 51.7% of patients got a headache after their second injection. In contrast, 35.4% of patients receiving the Moderna vaccine got a headache after their first injection, and 62.8 got a headache after their second injection.
How can the Pfizer vaccine trigger headaches?
Although the Pfizer vaccine is associated with headaches, it is still unclear why this exists. mRNA vaccines are particularly safe, since they do not carry live viruses, which can cause a severe stress response to a patient’s immune system. However, even the presence of moderate stress before a vaccine can trigger a headache or migraine.
What can I do to minimize my headaches after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?
As noted, a high proportion of folks (41%) get a headache after their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine! Although it may not be possible to avoid a headache completely, it may be possible to mitigate the effects of the headache on your daily routine by (1) scheduling your vaccine at the end of your work day, (2) hydrating well before the procedure, and (3) having a backup plan on what you will do in case you have a headache.
Speaking from personal experience, I received the first dose of my vaccine last week and did not have any adverse effects aside from some mild arm pain. Being immunized from COVID-19 has significant benefits both personally and for our fellow neighbors. Stay safe and healthy! – Dr. K.