Key TakeawaysA sore arm is a common side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine.There are several reasons why your arm may be sore after getting vaccinated, including your body’s immune response andinflammationin your muscle.Moving your arm and using a cool compress should help soothe the pain.

Key Takeaways

A sore arm is a common side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine.There are several reasons why your arm may be sore after getting vaccinated, including your body’s immune response andinflammationin your muscle.Moving your arm and using a cool compress should help soothe the pain.

The COVID-19 vaccine can cause some commonly known side effects. One of the most commonly discussed side effects is a sore arm at the injection site.

You may have heard people who’ve been vaccinated against COVID-19 say they couldn’t comfortably move their arm for a day or two after their shot. Many people have taken to social media to share their experience with this uncomfortable—yet harmless—symptom.

But why does your arm get sore after the COVID-19 vaccine? It’s a little more complicated than most people realize. Read on to learn more about why some people have a sore arm after being vaccinated and what you can do about it.

Common COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects

Side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine are normal signs that your immune system is doing its job, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).The side effects from the shot may affect your ability to do some activities. But they should last no more than a few days.

The most common side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine include:

Side effects after your second shot may be more intense than after the first. But they are normal signs that your immune system is hard at work.

Expect Mild Side Effects From COVID-19 Vaccines, CDC Advisory Group Says

Why the COVID-19 Vaccine Can Cause a Sore Arm

The COVID-19 vaccine is an intramuscular injection. This means it’s injected into the muscle. It’s recommended that it be injected into thedeltoidmuscle in the arm. Thedeltoidis the large muscle that gives the shoulder its range of motion.

There are a few reasons why this can cause arm soreness.

“The vaccine can trigger inflammation at the site of the injection, which suggests the vaccine is starting to activate your immunity,”Isabel Valdez, PA-C,physician assistant and assistant professor of general internal medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, tells Verywell. There is also a “tiny injury” to the muscle where the needle is injected, she says.

Here’s Why Your Symptoms May Be Worse After Your Second COVID-19 Shot

Your body’s immune reaction may also cause a sore arm, infectious disease expertAline M. Holmes, DNP, RN,a clinical associate professor at Rutgers University School of Nursing, tells Verywell.

“Your immune system uses several mechanisms to fight off infections," she says. “We all havemacrophages,B-lymphocytes, andT-lymphocytesas part of ourwhite blood cells.”

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“Think of your arm as being the battlefield where your white blood cells and the vaccine components are at war,” Holmes says. “All the time, the body’s B-lymphocytes are makingantibodies.”

Why Does Soreness Last For a Few Days?

“Think of inflammation as the pain you get after you hurt your knee or ankle; that kind of pain can take a few days to resolve,” Valdez say. She also adds that the small injury to your muscle from the needle also takes time to heal. “The site of injection is [the] starting block of the immune response. A lot is going on in that one site.”

What This Means For YouArm soreness is normal after getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Moving your arm regularly and using a cool compress may help minimize your symptoms. And the soreness should go away in one or two days.

What This Means For You

Arm soreness is normal after getting vaccinated against COVID-19. Moving your arm regularly and using a cool compress may help minimize your symptoms. And the soreness should go away in one or two days.

How to Treat a Sore Arm After Your Shot

As stated before, if you have a sore arm after your COVID-19 vaccine, it should only last for a few days.But If you’re uncomfortable, there are a few things you can do to help:

What to Do Before, During, and After Your COVID-19 Vaccine Appointment

The CDC recommends talking to your doctor about taking over-the-counter medicines, like ibuprofen, acetaminophen,aspirin, orantihistamines, for arm soreness and other post-vaccination pain. Do not take these medications if you have any condition that would normally prevent you from taking them.

Summary

A sore arm is a common side effect of theCOVID-19 vaccine. It’s a sign that your body’s immune system is responding as it should. Though it may last a few days, using cool compresses, taking over-the-counter medications, and keeping your arm in motion can make you feel more comfortable. It can also make the soreness go away.

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.

2 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.Possible side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Administering vaccine.

2 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.Possible side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Administering vaccine.

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.Possible side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Administering vaccine.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Possible side effects after getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Administering vaccine.

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