NEWS Coronavirus News Common Vagal Response Linked to Fainting After COVID-19 Vaccination By Amy Isler, RN, MSN, CSN Amy Isler, RN, MSN, CSN LinkedIn Amy Isler, RN, MSN, CSN, is a registered nurse with over six years of patient experience. She is a credentialed school nurse in California. Learn about our editorial process Updated on December 16, 2021 Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Marley Hall Fact checked by Marley Hall LinkedIn Marley Hall is a writer and fact checker who is certified in clinical and translational research. Her work has been published in medical journals in the field of surgery, and she has received numerous awards for publication in education. Learn about our editorial process Share Tweet Email Print nemke / Getty Images Key Takeaways Vasovagal syncope (a type of fainting) has been associated with the pain and anxiety of receiving a vaccination, not the vaccine itself.Fainting after a vaccination is most common in adolescents ages 11 to 18.Vasovagal syncope is not generally considered harmful or a cause for concern. During the first week of the COVID-19 vaccination distribution, a front-line worker was recorded fainting (syncope) on camera after receiving the vaccine. It was later reported as a common type of fainting called vasovagal syncope. Vasovagal syncope, also called reflex syncope, is when you faint, or temporarily lose consciousness, because your body overreacts to certain triggers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a vasovagal syncope episode is usually triggered by pain and anxiety and not by the vaccine itself, causing a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure. The nurse, Tiffany Dover, explained to WRBC Channel 3 News out of Chattanooga, Tennessee (where she's based) that she has a history of an over-reactive vagal response, causing her to pass out when she experiences any sort of pain, even a hangnail or a stubbed toe. She said she had passed out several times over a period of six weeks and that it was common for her. This article will explore vasovagal syncope during vaccinations, things you can do to try to prevent it, and what to do if you experience it. The Reflex That Can Make You Faint Out of the Blue Vasovagal Syncope and Vaccinations Fainting has historically been associated with vaccination. The CDC states that there have been reports of fainting with nearly every type of vaccine. According to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), fainting after being vaccinated is most common in adolescents, with one VAERS study finding 62% of episodes occurred in children ages 11 to 18. Healthcare professionals who routinely give out vaccinations can take preventative measures to decrease the chances of patients fainting by following a few precautions, including: Giving patients a beverage, snack, or reassurance about the procedureHaving the person sit or lie down to prevent falls and injuriesHaving the person breathe slowly and deeply before the procedure and encourage thinking of something relaxingUtilizing distraction methods like asking the person questions or having a friendly conversation while doing the procedureObserving the person for 15 minutes after the vaccination is given COVID-19 Vaccines: Stay up to date on which vaccines are available, who can get them, and how safe they are. What Is Vasovagal Syncope? Vasovagal syncope is the most frequent cause of fainting. According to John Hopkins Medicine, it affects one-third of the population and can occur at any age. Vaso refers to blood vessels and vagal refers to the vagus nerve, an important nerve that runs from the brain to the abdomen. Vasovagal syncope is the result of blood vessels dilating (widening) causing a drop in blood pressure and a decrease of blood flow to the brain. Having a vasovagal syncope episode is not generally considered harmful or a cause for concern, reports Cedars-Sinai, a non-profit academic healthcare network serving the greater Los Angeles area, but the real danger is if an episode occurs while the person is driving or they fall and hit their head. In addition to pain and anxiety, other triggers of vasovagal syncope can include: DehydrationSeeing blood Getting an injection or having blood drawn Standing up quickly Standing upright for a long timeSudden and unexpected trauma, stress or pain, such as being hitBlood donationStanding for long periodsExcess heatIntense emotion, such as fearSkipping mealsProlonged exercise Some people with a history of fainting experience pre-syncope symptoms which can serve as a warning sign that fainting is about to happen. Typically, laying down helps direct blood flow back to the brain and can aid in preventing a fainting episode. Pre-syncope symptoms may include: Feeling dizzy or lightheadedNauseaWarmthTurning paleGetting sweaty palmsBlurred vision Recap Vasovagal syncope happens when triggers, such as pain or anxiety, cause your heart rate and blood pressure to drop suddenly. If you get a sense that you are about to faint, such as feeling dizzy or nauseous, lying down may help prevent it. What To Do if You Experience Vasovagal Syncope The key to treating someone having a syncope episode is laying the person down and elevating their feet to restore blood flow back to the brain, which should promote return to consciousness fairly quickly. Rest and hydration is also recommended after an episode. To prevent a syncope episode, your doctor may recommend some of the following: Avoiding triggers, such as standing for a long time or the sight of bloodModerate exercise trainingAdjusting medications Eating a higher salt diet, to help keep up blood volumeDrinking plenty of fluids, to maintain blood volumeWearing compression stockings or abdominal binders Recap Having someone lie down and elevating their feet can help restore blood flow back to the brain after fainting.Hydration is helpful afterward and to help prevent fainting. Your doctor may offer additional suggestions, such as adjusting medications or salt in your diet. When To See a Medical Professional The CDC reports that 3% of men and 3.5% of women experience fainting at least once in their lifetime. However, experts suggest that you should seek medical attention right away if you experience recurrent episodes of passing out or other related problems. What This Means For You Fainting is not a side effect of the COVID-19 vaccine. A vasovagal syncope episode (fainting) is a normal response in some people after any type of vaccination. 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 our coronavirus news page. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. Fainting (syncope) after vaccination. August 25, 2020. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Syncope (fainting). Cedars Sinai. Vasovagal syncope.