Common Vagal Response Linked to Fainting After COVID-19 Vaccination

Key TakeawaysVasovagal syncope (a type of fainting) has been associated with the pain and anxiety of receiving a vaccination, not the vaccine itself.Fainting after a vaccination is most common in adolescents ages 11 to 18.Vasovagal syncope is not generally considered harmful or a cause for concern.

Key Takeaways

Vasovagal syncope (a type of fainting) has been associated with the pain and anxiety of receiving a vaccination, not the vaccine itself.Fainting after a vaccination is most common in adolescents ages 11 to 18.Vasovagal syncope is not generally considered harmful or a cause for concern.

During the first week of the COVID-19 vaccination distribution, a front-line worker was recorded fainting (syncope) on camera after receiving the vaccine. It was later reported as a common type of fainting calledvasovagal syncope.

Vasovagalsyncope, also called reflex syncope, is when you faint, or temporarily lose consciousness, because your body overreacts to certain triggers.

The nurse, Tiffany Dover, explained toWRBC Channel 3 Newsout of Chattanooga, Tennessee (where she’s based) that she has a history of an over-reactive vagal response, causing her to pass out when she experiences any sort of pain, even a hangnail or a stubbed toe. She said she had passed out several times over a period of six weeks and that it was common for her.

This article will explore vasovagal syncope during vaccinations, things you can do to try to prevent it, and what to do if you experience it.

What Triggers the Vagal Response?

Vasovagal Syncope and Vaccinations

Fainting has historically been associated with vaccination. The CDC states that there have been reports of fainting with nearly every type of vaccine.

According to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), fainting after being vaccinated is most common in adolescents, with one VAERS study finding 62% of episodes occurred in children ages 11 to 18.

COVID-19 Vaccines:Stay up to date on which vaccines are available, who can get them, and how safe they are.

What Is Vasovagal Syncope?

Vasovagal syncope is the most frequent cause of fainting. According to John Hopkins Medicine, it affects one-third of the population and can occur at any age.

Vaso refers to blood vessels and vagal refers to thevagus nerve, an important nerve that runs from the brain to the abdomen.

Vasovagal syncope is the result of blood vessels dilating (widening) causing a drop in blood pressure and a decrease of blood flow to the brain.

Having a vasovagal syncope episode is not generally considered harmful or a cause for concern, reportsCedars-Sinai, a non-profit academic healthcare network serving the greater Los Angeles area, but the real danger is if an episode occurs while the person is driving or they fall and hit their head.

In addition to pain and anxiety, other triggers of vasovagal syncope can include:

Some people with a history of fainting experience pre-syncope symptoms which can serve as a warning sign that fainting is about to happen. Typically, laying down helps direct blood flow back to the brain and can aid in preventing a fainting episode.

Pre-syncope symptoms may include:

RecapVasovagal syncope happens when triggers, such as pain or anxiety, cause your heart rate and blood pressure to drop suddenly. If you get a sense that you are about to faint, such as feeling dizzy or nauseous, lying down may help prevent it.

Recap

Vasovagal syncope happens when triggers, such as pain or anxiety, cause your heart rate and blood pressure to drop suddenly. If you get a sense that you are about to faint, such as feeling dizzy or nauseous, lying down may help prevent it.

What To Do if You Experience Vasovagal Syncope

The key to treating someone having a syncope episode is laying the person down and elevating their feet to restore blood flow back to the brain, which should promote return to consciousness fairly quickly.

Rest and hydration is also recommended after an episode.

To prevent a syncope episode, your doctor may recommend some of the following:

RecapHaving someone lie down and elevating their feet can help restore blood flow back to the brain after fainting.Hydration is helpful afterward and to help prevent fainting. Your doctor may offer additional suggestions, such as adjusting medications or salt in your diet.

Having someone lie down and elevating their feet can help restore blood flow back to the brain after fainting.Hydration is helpful afterward and to help prevent fainting. Your doctor may offer additional suggestions, such as adjusting medications or salt in your diet.

Having someone lie down and elevating their feet can help restore blood flow back to the brain after fainting.

Hydration is helpful afterward and to help prevent fainting. Your doctor may offer additional suggestions, such as adjusting medications or salt in your diet.

When To See a Medical Professional

The CDC reports that 3% of men and 3.5% of women experience fainting at least once in their lifetime.

However, experts suggest that you should seek medical attention right away if you experience recurrent episodes of passing out or other related problems.

What This Means For YouFainting is not a side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine. A vasovagal syncope episode (fainting) is a normal response in some people after any type of vaccination.

What This Means For You

Fainting is not a side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine. A vasovagal syncope episode (fainting) is a normal response in some people after any type of vaccination.

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.Fainting (syncope) after vaccination. August 25, 2020.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Syncope (fainting).Cedars Sinai.Vasovagal syncope.

3 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.Fainting (syncope) after vaccination. August 25, 2020.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Syncope (fainting).Cedars Sinai.Vasovagal syncope.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.Fainting (syncope) after vaccination. August 25, 2020.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Syncope (fainting).Cedars Sinai.Vasovagal syncope.

Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.Fainting (syncope) after vaccination. August 25, 2020.

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Syncope (fainting).

Cedars Sinai.Vasovagal syncope.

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