If you know you will need to have a medical procedure or go into the hospital or other medical facility, it is a good idea to get a COVID-19 vaccine first in order to protect yourself and others. Baystate Health no longer requires that you wait 4-6 weeks to get your COVID-19 vaccine.
Can the COVID-19 Vaccine or Booster Affect My Mammogram Results?
Yes. Research shows that lymph nodes can temporarily enlarge after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Swollen lymph nodes on the side of the injection are common and temporary, but they can cause a false reading on a mammogram. This swelling is a normal sign that your body is building protection against COVID-19.
Which Medical Procedures are Okay After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine?
According to the CDC, most routine medical procedures or screenings can be performed before or after getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
These procedures include:
- Routine blood work
- Dental procedures
- CT scans (also known as CAT scans or computed tomography), with or without IV contrast dye
- EKGs (also known as ECGs or electrocardiograms)
- Cardiac stress tests (also known as exercise tolerance tests or treadmill tests), with or without radiographic dye
- Colonoscopies
- Ultrasounds
- Other medical screening exams