Illustrative image of a vaccination.

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AFP

In the United States, cases of swelling of the lymph nodes located under the armpit after an anti-Covid-19 vaccination have been observed.

This symptom, spotted during treatment trials, should not be confused with a sign of cancer, warn doctors in the

New York Times

.

This swelling occurred in 11.6% of patients after the first dose when testing Moderna vaccine, and 16% after the second.

In the case of the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine, this side effect was detected in 0.3% of patients.

This side effect usually appears under the armpit or near the collarbone on the side where the vaccine was injected.

This symptom, which arises from a normal reaction of the immune system, has been observed in the past with vaccination against influenza or against papillomavirus infections.

Postpone the exam for a few weeks

The problem is, these swollen nodes are visible on a mammogram or chest scan and can be mistaken for cancer.

“I especially want to spread the word to all patients under surveillance after successful cancer treatment.

I can imagine their anguish, ”said Dr. Constance D. Lehman, of Massachusetts General Hospital.

According to her, radiology centers should ask patients if they have been vaccinated recently and in which arm before performing tests.

In order not to distort the diagnosis, doctors advise to wait four to six weeks after the second injection of the vaccine, if this is possible without causing delay in treatment or diagnosis, to schedule an X-ray examination.

People with breast cancer can be vaccinated on the side opposite the tumor, advises Dr Lehman, who also suggests injecting the vaccine into the thigh.

In total, more than 70 million injections have already been performed in the United States.

But so far, only 6.8% of Americans have received the two doses necessary for maximum immunity conferred by the two vaccines already authorized, which use the technique of messenger RNA.

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  • Covid 19

  • Anti-covid vaccine