Your Vaccine and Your Mammogram

One of the most common side effects related to the COVID-19 vaccines is swollen lymph nodes. In many cases, the swelling is so subtle that the patient would not even notice it. Under normal circumstances, when a radiologist sees a swollen lymph node on a mammogram, he or she recommends a follow-up mammogram and an ultrasound.

When COVID vaccines were first introduced, the vaccination side effect caused more follow-ups and ultrasounds than normal, so the staff at the SVMC Breast Health and Imaging Center recommended that patients have their mammogram before COVID vaccination or wait 6 weeks after a COVID vaccination to have a mammogram.

While both steps can be helpful, waiting to have your mammogram is no longer advised. We will ask patients about their vaccine history, including when they received their vaccine and in which arm, before their mammogram. With this information, we can get patients their mammograms on time while also limiting unnecessary follow-up tests.

Melissa Spiezio, RT(R)(M), is the director of Imaging Services at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care, in Bennington.