In Connecticut — as well as most states — the vaccine rollout is proceeding at full steam. So far, more than 154,000 people in Connecticut have received their first vaccine dose and another 16,000 have received both doses. Yesterday, Connecticut opened up appointment registration for residents over 75 years old. Although there has been a bit of a back-log in certain areas of the state, everything is moving smoothly, and the general population is slated to receive the vaccine this summer. We recently did a post a few days about the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and how it influences migraines. In this related post, we’re going to focus on the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
Question 1: What is the the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine?
The Moderna vaccine (mRNA-1273) 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 28 days apart.
Question 2: How does it differ from the Pfizer and AstraZeneca Vaccine?
Although there are several COVID-19 vaccines in the pipeline, only the Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (BNT162b2) 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 Moderna vaccine?
The Moderna 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. 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. In contrast, 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.
How can the Moderna vaccine trigger headaches?
Although the Moderna 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 (35.4%) get a headache after their first dose of the Moderna vaccine, with an even higher percentage after their second dose (62.8%)! 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 Moderna vaccine in 2020 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.