I’ve had my second vaccine and I feel horrendous

[Gazelley]

Absolutely bloody awful. Exactly like the flu. I had no problem after my first and I’m very pro vaccine so this is not a “don’t get the vaccine” post. Just be aware you might need a day off afterwards.

Had the vaccine at 8ish last night

• woke up around 3 with a headache
• woke up again at 6 with severe muscle aches all over
• fever then chills, fever then chills on and off all day
• vertigo and the room spinning when I turn over in bed
• appetite is fine, I’ve still been hungry
• very sore arm (same as the first time)

I’m hoping it’s going to be gone by tomorrow morning but I’m feeeling bloody sorry for myself

Thank you all for trialling these vaccines💐. Hopefully they tweak it to perfection long before my turn.

@Standrewsschool

I had a reaction after the first one (Pfizer)

Fever (38), headaches, achey bodd, and spent the day sleeping on and off.
Second, fever, but headache had gone and didn’t feel the need to doze.

All side-effects as listed.

How long did it take to ease off, if you don't mind me asking?

Hope you feel better soon op. This is very useful as we will now know to try and stagger DH and my vaccinations so we aren’t both potentially knocked over at the same time and unable to look after DS.

@Gazelley and @foodtoorder, sorry to hear you’re feeling so rough after your second jabs.

I’ve just got the app for my second one. Pfizer too. It’s not for a few weeks yet.

Our health board is saying that anyone who has any of the 3 main covid symptoms after having either of the jabs must self isolate and get tested. Have you been told the same?

How did you get a second dose? I thought that most hospitals and GPs had been told they weren't allowed to give them out anymore. I wish they could, as I've not at all convinced about the dosing change, at least not as far apart as 12 weeks. So maybe you are actually one of the lucky ones, really, despite the side effects! I hope you feel better soon though.

@ItsJustARide I found Buccastem did work for migraine-related nausea - but I was allergic to it, and the inside of my mouth was covered with blisters.

OP, my dad had the same experience with his Covid vaccination (not sure whether it was Pfizer). He had Covid a couple of months ago.

I had my 1st Pfizer jab yesterday, barely felt the injection and was not convinced it had been injected but the sore injection site that started 3 hours later convinced me. It was more of a mild ache which increased gradually after hour 3 but I could still lay on the arm unlike when I had the flu jab in December. When I woke up this morning, I forgot I’d had the covid vaccine as the soreness had significantly reduced. Now only noticeable if I raise my arm over my shoulder, no other side effects.

I think the side effects are very varied and while I was expecting to wiped out today, I’m really glad it was just a very minor effect. They do say though that the second dose is bound to cause more side effects so I’m prepared for that.

Why are people having a reaction to a dead virus ? it seems a bit odd.

FWIW my Dh had the first dose (AstraZeneca) on Friday and has had no adverse reaction whatever.

I had the first AstraZeneca jab on Friday at midday and I feel fine. It was at Lords Cricket Ground. A doctor did it and I walked home about a mile - something I never do (walking that is). My arm doesn't hurt. I am not a healthy person etc.

This sounds awful I thought side effects were quite rare. But the descriptions here sound worse than the virus has been for most of the younger, healthy people I know who have had it.

This thread makes me want to just take my chances with Covid, tbh. I probably won't because I don't want to be 'that person' but I'm definitely not in any hurry to get this vaccine!!

Vaccines often cause people to feel ill, don’t they? The flu jab does sometimes, and I recall being warned that DD might feel ropey after the MMR. My mother tells of people feeling really poorly after the small pox vaccine. I’m sorry you feel crap, OP, but I’m sure it’ll pass.

Could the awful side effects be a result of the gap between doses being so much longer than recommended by the manufacturers?

@SchnitzelVonCrummsTum

My DH had this after his first injection - Pfizer - but he has already had Covid. He said that of his (non-scientific) sample of mates, people who had had Covid felt worse after the first. People who hadn't had Covid felt worse after the second (those that managed to get the 2nd dose before schedule changed!). Younger staff experienced more side effects than older. That certainly fits with your experience (and that of the trial volunteers).

When I initially posted about it, I was told it was a 'coincidence' and not a helpful thing to post.

I still can't wait to get my own jab - won't be for months yet. Having watched DH's experience of Covid, I think I'd rather do almost anything than go through the disease itself.

I've found similar out of my colleagues. I haven't had covid (as far as I'm aware) but I am young (NHS worker in regular contact with covid-positive patients). Other colleagues who have experienced similar have either been in their 20s or had covid already.

@threecee

Why are people having a reaction to a dead virus ? it seems a bit odd.

Hmmm

threecee the Pfizer vaccine does not contain dead virus, it's completely different.

The Oxford vaccine does, but not in entirely the usual way.

Having a reaction to attenuated virus isn't at all unusual.

Had the Oxford one this morning, in a snow storm as it happens, people skidding all over the roads, nowhere to park. Liveliest day out I've had all year! I suppose you know something's really happening if you feel unwell, DH who had the vaccine too is already feeling a bit rough, headache etc. He will definitely turn it into a competition if at all possible.

Thank you OP — this is very useful info because I’m due for my first tomorrow. Will make sure I have nothing urgent to do in the next couple of days and ditto after the second dose.
I wonder if the doses were as originally planned, 21 days apart, if the
reaction to the second would be different?

You'll be fine tomorrow, Gazelly.

I had suspected Covid so maybe the anedoctal evidence is true (suspected because no widespread testing then).

It seems standard. Take paracetamol and go to bed, you'll feel better in the morning

Im mid 30 and as far as I know i havent had covid however my partner was very poorly last march which we suspect was covid bit obviously testing wasnt readily available at that time so we will never know. These side effects have literally floored me today and now ive just started to have sickness and diarreah too. Ive just reported everything on the yellow card site hopefully it will assist with further insight into the pfizer vaccine

@IDSNeighbour

Could the awful side effects be a result of the gap between doses being so much longer than recommended by the manufacturers?

I think the effects after the second one would probably be the same regardless of the length of time between the jabs.

The effects of the second one ( plus for people who’ve already had covid) may be more intense because the body is being given a ‘second’ kick to produce antibodies whereby it’d had already started doing that from the dose or infection. So you’d feel that more because ‘ more soldiers’ are being recruited to help.

It will be a while before longer it but appreciate the heads up for when my mum has hers

MIL had hers on Thursday and no side effects apart from a slightly sore arm. She had the Pfizer one.