press release
Location: Montreal, Canada
Recently, researchers from the University of Montreal conducted a comprehensive analysis of 18 studies, involving data from a total of 34,000 people, and came to a surprising conclusion: women are more likely to experience side effects such as injection site pain, headache, muscle pain, and fever after vaccination. This finding could have far-reaching implications for vaccination strategies and public perception.
According to the study, women have a significantly higher risk of developing these symptoms than men within seven days of vaccination. The incidence of injection site and systemic reactions was 25% to 29% higher in young women than in men of the same age, and 43% higher in older women. More notably, women have twice the risk of developing a fever that interferes with normal life to a certain extent compared to men.
Experts explain that this may be due to the fact that women are more concerned about the side effects of the vaccine than men. In addition, estrogen may enhance the immune response, produce more functional antibodies, induce stronger antibody levels, but also bring more side effects. On the other hand, androgens may inhibit the response at the injection site. This finding has important implications for understanding the relationship between gender and vaccine response.
The findings of this study are not limited to the flu vaccine. Other vaccines, including the COVID vaccine, have similar gender differences. This reminds us that the impact of gender on vaccine response should be fully considered when developing vaccination strategies.
Against this background, experts recommend that doctors, when vaccinating women, should pay more attention to the symptoms of possible side effects and provide appropriate medical care and psychological support. In addition, the researchers are calling for more research on the relationship between gender and vaccine response to shed further light on the mystery.
It's important to note that although women are more likely to experience side effects after vaccination, that doesn't mean they shouldn't get vaccinated. The importance of vaccines in preventing disease cannot be overlooked, and vaccination is an effective means of protecting oneself and others from disease. Therefore, women should still be vaccinated according to their individual circumstances and doctors' recommendations.
The findings of this study also have implications for the public health sector. Gender differences should be taken into account when promoting and implementing vaccination programmes, and measures should be taken to ensure that citizens of all genders benefit from them. For example, special information and educational materials for women are developed to alleviate their worries and anxieties about the side effects of vaccines.
In addition, public health authorities should work closely with medical facilities to ensure that women receive timely and effective medical care after vaccination. This includes monitoring for possible side effects, providing necessary medical support and medications, and more. Through these measures, women can reduce their discomfort after vaccination, and increase their willingness and confidence to get vaccinated.
In summary, this study from the University of Montreal sheds light on the reasons why women are more likely to experience side effects after vaccination. This finding is a reminder of the need to fully consider gender considerations in the development of vaccination strategies to ensure that all citizens can benefit equitably from vaccination programs. By continuing to deepen our research and refine our strategies, we can hopefully create a healthier and more equitable future for all.