Fainting After Vaccination: It’s Called Vasovagal Syncope

Many people are given vaccines annually. Most won’t experience side effects. However, there is a small number of people who will.  Fainting after vaccination is just one vaccine injury that can happen.

This condition is called vasovagal syncope. This reaction can be triggered when the body’s blood pressure suddenly drops and the brain is deprived of oxygen, causing the person to faint.

One of the most common triggers for this condition is vaccination. While vasovagal syncope itself isn’t harmful in any way, falling from it can be. 

If you or a loved one was vaccinated and was hurt after fainting, we are here to help you. Our team of vaccine injury attorneys can help you recover financially from the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). Call us today at (312) 578-9501 for free, for a consultation.

Otherwise, keep reading to learn more about vasovagal syncope following vaccination. 

How Sudden Fainting (AKA Vasovagal Syncope) Happens From Vaccination

Syncope, commonly known as fainting, is usually triggered by anxiety or pain. People who have extreme anxiety around shots can experience this rare condition. It’s been reported by the CDC that almost every vaccine has caused people to faint. The three most common vaccines for children to faint from are HPV, MCV4, and TDaP. 

The CDC also notes that due to the differing ingredients in each of the vaccines listed above, it’s been theorized that it’s not the vaccines themselves that cause syncope. Rather, it’s the vaccine process itself. It’s important to note that although 3% of men and 3.5% of women have reported fainting at least once in their lives, it is hard to determine exactly what percentage is due to vaccinations. 

Using the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a system set up to self-report any side effects and injuries from a vaccine, it can be determined that 62% of syncope reports were from children ages 11 to 18. 

What are the symptoms of vasovagal syncope from vaccine administration? 

While fainting can come on suddenly, there are a few telltale signs of when someone is about to faint. These signs and symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Blurry Vision
• Lightheadedness
• Tunnel vision
• Cold, clammy sweat
• Uncontrollable yawning
• Pale skin
• Feeling warm

If anyone notices that they are experiencing these symptoms, there is a short window of time to take precautions against injury. It’s best to sit down or move away from anything that can cause harm when falling. 

When someone faints, they typically become conscious after a few moments. It’s important to not stand up immediately since periods of activity can cause the person to faint again. 

The Hidden Dangers of Vasovagal Syncope

Fainting itself isn’t dangerous. However, it’s the injuries from the fall that you need to worry about. The biggest cause for concern when it comes to fainting is a head injury. A VAERS report regarding vaccines and syncope reported 7% of fainting reports were serious and, of that percentage, 12% involved head injuries. 

When someone falls while fainting, it’s easy to hit one’s head on nearby furniture or on the ground. This can lead to a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), such as a concussion or worse. 

How Is Vasovagal Syncope Diagnosed and Treated?

Vasovagal syncope can be hard to diagnose due to the fact it depends on a specific set of triggers. But, if the doctor reviews the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and what led to the fainting, they may diagnose the patient properly. The doctor also will do a physical examination to help rule out any outside reasons that would have caused someone to hit their head. 

After being diagnosed, there are a number of ways to help treat this condition. First and foremost, there are many different kinds of medication that can be highly effective. In addition to medication, it’s recommended to regularly exercise. It’s important to always consult a doctor before starting any treatment or medication. 

Does the COVID Vaccine Cause Fainting? 

Yes, any vaccine, including the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines, can trigger vasovagal syncope in rare cases. 

Unfortunately at this time, the COVID vaccines are not covered by the VICP. Instead, they are covered by the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program (CICP). This program was created to help those injured by coronavirus vaccines. However, there are a few key differences to this program. Notable differences include the compensation is lower in the CICP and the statute of limitations is shorter. 

For more information on the CICP, read our article on the program here.

Getting Compensation for Vasovagal Syncope from Vaccines

There is compensation available for those who have been injured while fainting from a select set of specific vaccines. It’s called the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP). This program is national, helping people recover from their injuries across the U.S. 

In order to receive compensation, one must be able to prove their injury was due to a vaccine that is covered under the program, and file the claim within the statute of limitations (3 years).

The compensation available includes paying for past and future medical bills and expenses, lost wages, loss of everyday life, and attorney’s fees. However much you recover is determined by the national courts after your petition is filed.

That’s where we come in. We help people recover emotionally and financially from their vaccine injuries daily by filing petitions on their behalf at no cost to them because the program pays for attorney’s fees and additional costs. 

If you or a loved one has been injured due to fainting from a vaccine, we are here for you. Our team of compassionate and experienced vaccine injury attorneys is ready to help you. We’re just a phone call away, give us a call for a free consultation today at (312) 578-9501 or by filling out the form on this page.