Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and the side effects

999 replies

LeSquigh · 19/01/2021 06:44

Morning all

Many of my colleagues have now received the first dose of the Oxford vaccine and every single one of them has reported side effects, quite a large number have had to take time off work and been bedridden. Are we in the minority or is this true for all that have it? Not really looking forward to my turn!

OP posts:
LApprentiSorcier · 07/03/2021 12:36

@AnxietyDrivingMyLife

It’s putting me off as well. This is so different to the flu vaccine for the majority when out comes to the side effects. Funny I’m by trying to safe myself from COVID end up in the hospital due to the vaccine...
Don't be put off. Feeling a bit crap for a few days is nothing compared to having Covid. Mine was like a bad cold but without the nose and throat symptoms.
Parentpower20 · 07/03/2021 12:38

Myself and my colleagues have had similar reactions in about half of us. Personally I was “bedridden” for about 3 days. Like a short version of the flu. Felt pretty rough but then recovered quickly around day 4-5. Would definitely have had to take time off work if I had been working those three days.

I think this has been reported elsewhere that younger people who have had COVID get worse side effects.

I’d still recommend it and don’t think it’s scaremongering.

BobsDouble · 07/03/2021 12:38

Don’t let it put you off! For almost everyone I know (most of my friends are over 60) it lasted 24 hours and then you’re right as rain, and when you’re feeling wretched you take comfort for knowing it’s for a good reason.

Parentpower20 · 07/03/2021 12:39

I was ill for a very long time after having COVID. Honestly it’s not comparable. Please do get the vaccination.

AnxietyDrivingMyLife · 07/03/2021 12:45

Just to be clear about my post- I’m absolutely fine with the flu like symptoms, aches and pains. My daughter has had all the vaccines and familiar with these. The 39-40 fever is worrying so is some of the other like dizziness for a week, metal taste, vivid dreams etc

RandomMess · 07/03/2021 13:12

I had Oxford. Got a headache and slight temperature 12 hours later that lasted for about 12 hours. Took codeine and paracetamol and was fine.

DH had Pfizer and his arm really hurt and couldn't lift it above shoulder height and was really tired. Friend had it and was very unwell for 24 hours - blinding headache, temp, couldn't see properly.

All very short lived and wouldn't put me of doing it again.

LApprentiSorcier · 07/03/2021 13:36

when you’re feeling wretched you take comfort for knowing it’s for a good reason.

Yes, absolutely this. In a way I was pleased to be feeling rubbish because it was a sign the vaccine was having an effect. I don't mean that if you have no symptoms it isn't working, but I'm personally very susceptible to coronaviruses (I always get wiped out by common colds) so I would have been surprised if I hadn't felt anything.

OverTheRubicon · 07/03/2021 14:35

@Magic1231

Do you think for some reason women suffer worse side effects? Maybe just a coincidence but of the several couples I know that have had the vaccine it always seems to go that the mans absolutely fine afterwards where as the woman gets side effects xxx
Women do often have stronger immune responses (hence the higher rate of autoimmune disorders among women).

However women also have higher rates of 'nocebo' response - so if you give equally sized groups of men and women a drug, or even a sugar pill, more women will report or experience negative side effects, especially if they've heard of these in advance, which could add to it.

Whatafustercluck · 07/03/2021 14:45

Parents had sore arms, slight headache and muscle aches the following day but were able to go about their business with a couple of paracetamol. Same for dh.

Bil had it and was bed ridden for a day through tiredness, but he had Covid back in November.

Got mine on Weds, figure whatever it does is better than getting Covid, especially if it's also reducing transmission.

Bumpsadaisie · 07/03/2021 14:48

36 hours later - I'm feeling fine. Bit tired but that's it.

RandomMess · 07/03/2021 16:02

I do wonder if the health workers that received it were already on burn out, exhausted and their own immune systems compromised hence having the vaccine hit them harder.

Hiddenmnetter · 07/03/2021 16:06

I had Oxford and had quite a strong reaction (fever, tight chest, achy, headache and sore throat), but I was informed that cold and flu symptoms were a common side effect and that they generally didn't last more than a day. I had the symptoms for a little over 24 hours.

I think it's quite well established that (short lived) cold and flu symptoms are a common side effect of this vaccine.

Maerchentante · 07/03/2021 16:21

I had the AZ vaccine on Thursday and got a headache and a bit of a temperature on Friday and again on Saturday. I took paracetamol straight away as I may have a heart condition where fever could be dangerous and trigger an arrythmia.
My arm is quite red, swollen, warm and painful around the injection site, which concerns me a bit.

Sapphire544 · 07/03/2021 16:23

Handhold please. Anxiety (esp health anxiety) sufferer, grieving after having cared for and lost both my parents, very close relationships with them, last year. Living by myself, haven’t touched another human being since the second funeral and haven’t spent any time indoors with anyone since Christmas Day. Very lonely and isolated. Went for my AZ yesterday afternoon, feel awful today. Don’t know how to describe it, just feel really “ill” / off colour. Shattered, exhausted, no energy, kind of achy. Temp around 37.7/37.8. Having awful emotional meltdown with it, worried sick about it and I just want my mum. Am 49 and just crying and shaking like a baby. Please help, I’m a bit of a mess.

Frozenintime · 07/03/2021 16:26

@Sapphire544

Handhold please. Anxiety (esp health anxiety) sufferer, grieving after having cared for and lost both my parents, very close relationships with them, last year. Living by myself, haven’t touched another human being since the second funeral and haven’t spent any time indoors with anyone since Christmas Day. Very lonely and isolated. Went for my AZ yesterday afternoon, feel awful today. Don’t know how to describe it, just feel really “ill” / off colour. Shattered, exhausted, no energy, kind of achy. Temp around 37.7/37.8. Having awful emotional meltdown with it, worried sick about it and I just want my mum. Am 49 and just crying and shaking like a baby. Please help, I’m a bit of a mess.
Rest if you can. Something to comfort like a lovely cool cloth on forehead. Maybe watch a happy film. You will be fine. It's a natural immune response to the vaccination
AnxietyDrivingMyLife · 07/03/2021 16:42

@Sapphire544 I’m here to listen if you want to talk. I understand how you must be feeling..I have gone though/going through some of the issues you are facing- lonely, health anxiety to name some. Infant I’m terrified of getting the vaccine and also terrified of COVID- Rock/hard place... would making a cup of tea help.just that, make a cup of tea. Even if you don’t want to drink it..just a small step to take the focus elsewhere

AndreaMarteau · 07/03/2021 17:07

I had mine on Tuesday and have had no side effects apart from a slightly sore arm where I had the jab. But even then I couldn't feel it unless I was lying on that side.

Brillig · 07/03/2021 17:16

@Sapphire544 here’s a warm hand hold from me. I lost my mum in October last year - not from Covid but ultimately does it make a difference? I still miss her horribly. I had my AZ vaccine last week and had a day or so of feeling rough but please believe that your lovely mum would be so proud of you for having the jab. Rest up, drink plenty of liquids, don’t try to do too much. You’ll feel better soon, I promise - I’m fine now, it took a day or so of feeling a bit under the weather but nothing to worry about. We’re here for you ❤️

mooshie06 · 07/03/2021 20:20

“My arm is quite red, swollen, warm and painful around the injection site, which concerns me a bit”

Please try not to worry @Maerchentante I had mine on Thursday, had the same fever pattern as you and my arm has done the same thing xx I believe we can expect a bad arm for up to a week according to my nurse friend

@Sapphire544 sending you a big big hug - we are here if you need a chat ❤️ Please try not to worry - you should start to feel better very soon xx

chillied · 07/03/2021 20:40

sapphire I had mine yesterday too, and spent most of today in bed. It won't last for ever, even if it is miserable. I had covid last March and this felt like covid-lite. Familiar symptoms but not as bad.

Don't force yourself to do anything, and keep warm.

Magic1231 · 07/03/2021 20:48

@Sapphire544 aww darling, I relate to your situation in terms of how you must feel... fortunately I still have my parents but they're in their 70s (I'm 34) and I'm extremely close to both of them, I dont have kids or anything and will one day be on my own. Also have health anxiety and general anxiety.
My heart goes out to you, your mums no doubt close by you looking out for you ❤ you'll be okay, it's just a bit shit for a few days, nothing bad will happen to you. Try to just rest, get in your comfys and put something nice on the TV, it will pass in no time xxx

Joeblack066 · 07/03/2021 21:09

Just been exceedingly tired today after having the vaccine at 11.20am yesterday. Had planned for that and done next to nothing today!

TheDogsMother · 07/03/2021 21:44

I had mine yesterday at 9.30 and initially was ok. Today I'm tired, slight headache, sore throat, sore arm and heavy limbs. Not unmanageable but not quite right. Worth it in the long run though.

Pericombobulations · 07/03/2021 22:39

I struggle with anxiety a lot, and was terrified of getting my vaccination due to the side effects. Went there on Thursday at 3pm as am CV, expecting to get the Pfizer. Got there to be told its actually the AZ.

I am terrified of vacines, but am terrified of Covid more. I work in a school and a number of my colleagues have had it. Whilst I was very relieved none of them died, some of them struggled with long covid for most of the year (they had it last March).

So I got the AZ vacine. I am now over 3 days later and have an achey arm (still), which I also get from the flu jab, and also tiredness. BUT all these are normal for me anyway.

To those nervous of the long term jab side effects, consider it versus the long term side effects of Covid.

I am terrible for googling worst case scenarios, but always try to remember the majority of posts are from those who had bad side effects as those who had minor to nothing dont post as they are busy getting on with their life.

Kitkatchunkyplease · 08/03/2021 05:56

I had mine about 12 hours ago. I was up in the night shivering, just couldn't get warm. I had layers and layers of clothes on. Up now for work and hopefully feeling a little better. Got a full day today so taking paracetamol with me in case, but I am hoping that the shivers were the only side effects.