- Some people may experience a rash on the injection arm after receiving the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
- The rash is probably a delayed allergic reaction or hypersensitivity.
- Experts say there is no need for panic and the rash is not a reason to avoid COVID-19 injections.
- Visit the Insider home page for more stories.
Some users of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine reported a reddish rash that appeared days after they received the vaccines.
Amelia Brown had her first injection of Moderna in California on January 11, and her injection arm started to itch a week later, she told Insider. The morning after the itch started, his arm was red, swollen and warm to the touch.
This rash is harmless, causing itching or pain at worst, and usually disappears within 24 hours to a week, Esther Freeman, director of global health dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital, told USA Today.
Freeman heads a global database of skin-related symptoms and reactions to COVID-19 vaccines. She told USA Today that only 14 people reported the so-called “COVID arm” by the month, although more cases were probably not reported.
“We want to reassure people that this is a known phenomenon,” Freeman told USA Today. “Having a big red spot on your arm for a few days may not be fun, but the reality is that there is no need to panic and no reason not to try the second chance.”
Brown’s rash subsided after a few days and disappeared later in the week. She had her second injection a month later, after consulting her doctor.
‘COVID arm’ is probably a minor allergic reaction
Toronto physician Iris Gorfinkel told CTV News that “COVID arm” is probably a delayed allergic reaction. Redness is a predictable reaction to any injection and is commonly seen in people receiving other injections, such as vaccines against tetanus or chicken pox
Praveen Buddiga, an immunologist based in the San Fernando Valley, told CBS8 that he sees this type of hypersensitivity in 2 to 9% of patients receiving vaccines and gives them some simple advice.
“Just use the method of adding ice, drinking a lot of water and stretching your arm and it will go away in less than 24 hours,” Buddiga told the outlet.
The rash is not a reason to avoid vaccination or request a particular injection
Kara Leeper, a speech therapist based in Los Angeles, told CBS8 that she had a rash that suddenly appeared eight days after she took one of her Moderna injections. She described it as a “big red bull’s eye rash” that “itched, hurt and was warm to the touch”.
The rash was gone in 48 hours, and although it was uncomfortable, Leeper encouraged others to take their second injections.
Freeman said the same, adding that this minor reaction is not a reason to avoid the Modern vaccine entirely.
“This does not mean that you should buy Pfizer instead of Moderna,” she said. “It is not a big deal.”