How the COVID vaccine might affect your mammogram

Health care workers answer questions about the COVID-19 vaccines.

Ana G. Cepin, MD on why a COVID vaccine might affect your mammogram.

So, one of the side effects from the vaccine is that you can have swollen lymph nodes on the side where you were vaccinated. The way the vaccine works is that your body’s immune system starts to work to produce antibodies, and that can make it so that the lymph nodes appear swollen and can get enlarged. But it’s not that the vaccine is in any way associated with any cancer.

And so, the recommendation is that if you’ve been vaccinated, that you wait several weeks before getting a mammogram so that there’s no, you know, false positive findings on the mammogram.

This information is shared for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. The views expressed are those of the featured medical professional and reflect information available to that professional at time of filming. Always consult a health care provider for any personal health decisions. Click here for vaccine FAQs from the CDC.

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COVID vaccines are safe and effective for everyone ages 6 months and older.

Immunity wanes over time. Keep up your protection against COVID by getting boosted when eligible.

Updated (bivalent) boosters are now available for adults and children 6 months and older. 

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