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Is It Unusual to Feel Late-Onset Arm Pain After Getting the Monkeypox Vaccine? 

It happens,' says Dr. Benson of Be Well Medical Center

Chris Azzopardi

What’s with the late-onset arm pain after getting your monkeypox vaccine?

Sure, it’s not unusual that, when getting any kind of vaccination, you might experience some tenderness at the site of injection. The use of JYNNEOS, which is a subcutaneous injection administered into the fatty tissue in the back of the arm, is no different.

For me, I experienced no pain for the first few days, no pain even on the fifth day. But by the sixth day: pain. Not unbearable, especially when compared to what folks with monkeypox are reporting, but a kind of achy, delayed pain that surprised me.

The site of injection swelled into a red, hard knot-like lump. I wasn’t at all concerned, but I had never experienced a vaccine shot that only started hurting days after I got it. Saturday marks two weeks since I got the first dose; the pain persists.

This is common, as post-vax testimonials on Twitter will tell you:

Has anyone noticed some pain to the touch and a little lump where they got their monkeypox vaccine days after getting it? I’m sure this means it’s working but damn.

— Ian J (@_IanJ) August 5, 2022

Hi, having a lump at your monkeypox vaccine injection site is totally normal! I had one for about two weeks, I also had intermittent minor arm pain and lymph node tenderness on the same side as the injection for about a week afterwards.

Erik’s still got a lump after 10 days!

— Sam Branman (@blamsamran) July 28, 2022

How long did it take for your Monkeypox vaccine pain to subside?

It’s been a week now and my arm still hurts, itches, and I have a bump.

— lexapro spritz (@Mikey_Sul) August 8, 2022

not to diminish anyone’s experience but i promise you the soreness from the monkeypox vaccine is nothing compared to the pain from actual monkeypox. it is, quite literally, a pain in the ass

— kyle anthony (@kyleplanckton) July 7, 2022

After getting the monkeypox vaccine, most people have redness, swelling and pain where they got the shot. Side effects are common but usually mild.

Learn more: https://t.co/te6xqUMjwo pic.twitter.com/XHarnTkzGh

— nychealthy (@nycHealthy) July 28, 2022

So, why exactly are some people experiencing more pain than others when getting a dose of JYNNEOS? Essentially for the same reason any injection affects people differently, says Dr. Benson of Be Well Medical Center in Berkley.

“There are many reasons why someone could experience soreness after an injection,” he told Pride Source. “It may be the medication or vaccine itself. It may be the technique of the person that administered the injection. It may be idiopathic, meaning there is no apparent reason for it. We see this phenomenon all the time. Most of the time it is not an issue and self-limiting. It happens.”

Benson recommends icing the area and taking ibuprofen to ease any discomfort, adding that, “If the area is extremely tender or draining they should see a professional for evaluation.”

For more information on monkeypox, including vaccination sites, check out Pride Source’s “What You Need to Know” guide.

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