Can a COVID-19 booster shot cause a mild sore throat?

Question

Hi doctor,

I got a mild sore throat and some other side effects like fever a few hours after getting my COVID-19 booster shot. I wonder if it is likely that I caught COVID right before taking the booster or if the booster itself could have caused the sore throat? Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

Generally, COVID vaccines are not known to cause sore throat, but a few incidences are reported. Fever is a well-documented side effect of the vaccine. So either you got a sore throat and fever due to the vaccine, or you caught an infection concurrently with a booster dose. The best way to identify is to wait for two days. If it resolves in two days, it is due to a booster, but if it persists, then you have caught another infection, and you will need treatment. For now, I would suggest,

Anti-allergic like Montelukast and Levocetirizine.
Betadine gargle.
Tablet Paracetamol 650 mg in case of fever.

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert in case of further queries.

Thank you.