This Is The Weird COVID Vaccine Side Effect Everyone Is Talking About

Much has been made of COVID vaccine side effects, with recent data suggesting certain groups of people may experience more symptoms post-injection than others. For instance, more women and younger folks are reporting injection site soreness, mild fever, and body aches. But now, a new COVID vaccine side effect has people talking, because it is more unexpected.

According to NBC News, there have been reports of COVID shots causing a metallic taste in the mouth that can last for several days. A notable difference between this symptom and others is that the "mouthful of nickels" effect is happening after the first Pfizer or Moderna shot, versus the second, which has been linked to tiredness and flu-like symptoms.

It's worth noting that tasting metal post-vaccine is not unique to the COVID immunization. But, as Nancy Rawson, vice president of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia told NBC, "Metallic taste is interesting, because we really don't know the biological basis for it."

The CDC has compiled a comprehensive list of potential COVID vaccine side effects — they range from tiredness, to headache, to nausea. But as Popsugar notes, a metallic taste is not included, and yet, the pesky symptom is happening frequently enough to make headlines across the country.

Still, as John A. Sellick, Jr., DO, MS, professor of medicine in the Division of Infectious Diseases at University at Buffalo-SUNY, told the outlet about his experience administering the shots, "We've given tens of thousands of doses of the BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and the number of people who have reported [a metallic taste] is in the handful range."

It's important to note that if you do taste metal in your mouth after the shots, this does not appear to be cause for alarm. And, experts advise you should still move forward with getting a second dose. 

An allergic reaction would result in far more concerning symptoms, with Healthline noting this is very rare. Hives and throat swelling would definitely indicate a problem, and you should seek medical attention without delay.