Shortness of Breath: A Rare Adverse Effect of the COVID-19 Vaccine
Shortness of breath isn’t common after the COVID-19 vaccine. However, it may happen due to rare adverse effects, like myocarditis, pericarditis, or anaphylaxis. Many people with these adverse effects recover with prompt treatment.
Getting the COVID-19 vaccine is important for preventing serious illness and death from the coronavirus. As with any vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccine can have side effects. Many of these are mild and go away in a few days.
In rare cases, more serious adverse effects that cause shortness of breath can occur. Keep reading to learn more about the causes of shortness of breath after COVID-19 vaccination and how they’re diagnosed and treated.
Common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , the common side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine in adults include:
- pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
- fatigue
- fever
- chills
- muscle aches
- headache
- nausea
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In rare instances, a few things may cause shortness of breath after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. These include:
- myocarditis
- pericarditis
- anaphylaxis
Myocarditis and pericarditis
Myocarditis and pericarditis are both types of heart inflammation. In addition to shortness of breath, a person with myocarditis or pericarditis can experience symptoms like:
The CDC notes that myocarditis and pericarditis are rare adverse effects of the COVID-19 vaccine that mostly happen in adolescent and young adult males. These rare effects typically occur:
- after getting an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, like the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine
- within a week of getting a vaccine dose
- after getting the second dose in the primary vaccine series
A 2022 study found that the rates of myocarditis in adolescent and young adult males after the second vaccine dose were:
- 70.7 cases per 1 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in males ages 12 to 15
- 105.9 cases per 1 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in males ages 16 to 17
- 52.4 cases and 56.3 cases per 1 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna vaccine, respectively, in males ages 18 to 24
Several studies have found that the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis is actually higher after getting COVID-19 than it is after getting vaccinated.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe, life threatening allergic reaction. It may cause symptoms like:
- breathing problems, which can include:
- shortness of breath
- rapid, shallow breathing
- wheezing
- difficulty breathing
It’s possible for anaphylaxis to occur after any type of COVID-19 vaccine. However, it’s still very rare. The CDC estimates it occurs at a rate of 5 cases per 1 million vaccine doses .
Other causes of shortness of breath after the COVID-19 vaccine
There are also some other rarer causes of shortness of breath that have been associated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines:
- Interstitial lung disease (ILD):ILD refers to conditions that lead to scarring of the lungs. Reports of ILD after the COVID-19 vaccine are limited to several case reports .
- Pneumonitis:Pneumonitis is a general term for lung inflammation. A couple of case reports have described pneumonitis after the COVID-19 vaccine.
Case reports are detailed descriptions of disease in a single person. As such, compared with the number of vaccine doses given worldwide, these adverse effects are exceedingly rare.
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What to do if you have serious side effects after the COVID-19 vaccine
Seek medical care if you develop symptoms of myocarditis or pericarditis in the days after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. These conditions can become serious if they’re not treated.
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. If you have symptoms of anaphylaxis in the minutes or hours after getting a COVID-19 vaccine, call 911 or local emergency services.
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Myocarditis and pericarditis
A doctor can diagnose and treat myocarditis or pericarditis by:
- performing a physical exam and taking your medical history
- ordering blood tests, like tests for:
- troponin
- C-reactive protein
- erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- chest X-ray
- echocardiogram
- MRI
A cardiologist typically treats these conditions. Treatment may involve medications geared toward reducing inflammation, such as:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- steroids
- intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)
You’ll also need to get plenty of rest as you recover.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis typically comes on suddenly 15 to 30 minutes after vaccination. However, sometimes it may take hours to develop. Diagnosis is typically made based on the appearance of symptoms after a specific trigger.
Treatment involves an epinephrine injection, typically with an EpiPen, as well as supportive care in a hospital.
Most instances of myocarditis or pericarditis are mild or moderate. The CDC notes that most people with these adverse effects who receive treatment respond well and feel better quickly.
A 2023 study also found that the outlook for people with myocarditis after COVID-19 vaccination was better when compared with people with conventional myocarditis or COVID-19-associated myocarditis.
People who have had myocarditis or pericarditis after getting sick with COVID-19 should not receive another dose of that particular vaccine unless cleared by their doctor.
Anaphylaxis typically resolves after treatment. If you experienced anaphylaxis after a dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, you should not receive another dose of that type of vaccine.
In rare cases, shortness of breath can happen after the COVID-19 vaccine. This can be caused by rare adverse effects like myocarditis, pericarditis, or anaphylaxis.
With treatment, many people with shortness of breath after the COVID-19 vaccine recover without lingering problems.
Myocarditis and pericarditis can become serious, while anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Always seek prompt medical care if you have concerning symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, or rash after getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
Last medically reviewed on April 13, 2023
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