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If you’ve ever experienced swollen lymph nodes, you know how uncomfortable (and temporarily concerning) their presence can be. After all, when lymph nodes—small, bean-shaped glands throughout your entire body—become enlarged, it’s typically a sign that your immune system is reacting to something it perceives as a threat.
With the COVID-19 vaccine, that “something” is a sign that your body is being primed to recognize the novel coronavirus once your immunization is complete—meaning you might experience short-lived side effects, particularly after the second dose in a two-part series. This can include arm swelling and soreness around the injection site, a mild fever, headaches, chills, and yes, even swollen lymph nodes.