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Original poster

Could anyone tell me the truth about side effects?

83 replies

MagicSummer · 14/02/2021 11:19

I have been so looking forward to getting my vaccine, but now that it is booked for Wednesday, I am getting cold feet. I have read a few horror stories about people feeling they 'have been run over by a bus' or having bad headaches and very painful joints. Has anyone experienced bad side effects or are people just attention-seeking?

OP posts:
Oopsy41 · 14/02/2021 11:23

I had mine on a Sunday, I woke up on the Monday feeling really lethargic and achey. It literally lasted for the day then I woke up on the Tuesday feeling fine. That was a couple of weeks ago but I now have Covid. I would chose one day of feeling rubbish from the vaccine over how I feel now I actually have it. Obviously people have different experiences and some people won't get any side effects at all. Hope it goes ok whatever you decide

PrinceRogersNelson · 14/02/2021 11:24

I had mine yesterday. My arms hurts if I press it, feel a bit tired and achy but had paracetamol and feel fine now. Not in bed, but will take it easy today.

SendMeHome · 14/02/2021 11:25

I think it depends a bit on which vaccine you have but PIL have had their first jab, one Oxford and one Pfizer, and said it didn’t hurt at all and they had no side effects. And MIL was particularly worried about it!

Calyx72 · 14/02/2021 11:25

I had a temperature the next and felt sore where the needle had been but was brand new the morning after that

mumwon · 14/02/2021 11:26

dh had zilch reaction
I had very very slight discomfort at injection site
(Oxford)

BrettAndersonscheekbones · 14/02/2021 11:27

I had the jab on Thursday, I was just over the 4 weeks minimum wait having had covid itself when I truly felt like I might die. My arm is still quite sore and I did feel a bit wiped out Friday and Saturday and slept more than usual. My personal opinion is that any side effects outweigh the awfulness of the lurgy itself. And at least I've got it over and done with.
Good luck whatever you decide.

SageCardy · 14/02/2021 11:27

I'm a week in and haven't had any side effects, only a slight bruised feeling if I touched the top of my arm.

Butwhhhyyyyyyy · 14/02/2021 11:27

I had the Pfizer on Tuesday, my arms ached Friday and felt tired but fine again Saturday, more relieved that it's done than anything.

ACovidofWitches · 14/02/2021 11:28

There seems to be a huge variation. I know one person who felt fluey and really unwell but it still only lasted 2 days and was manageable. Everyone else I know who has had the vaccine has been fine other than feeling a tiny bit more tired or a sore arm. Just get a meal prepared in advance and extra paracetamol in the cupboard if you are really worried. We're so so lucky as a country to be able to protect so many.

Butwhhhyyyyyyy · 14/02/2021 11:28

I mean Thursday not Tuesday.

Cheersdickie · 14/02/2021 11:29

I had mine on Tuesday. Achey arm for a day or two and that was it!

Purplewithred · 14/02/2021 11:29

I've read horror stories about people who've realised they've passed covid on to someone vulnerable, been really ill with covid themselves, ended up with long covid, lost loved ones or lost their incomes.

From the Astrozenica jab I had half a day of feeling ill but still managed to go for a run and cook and eat a roast dinner that day. I've had worse colds. Apparently only 1/6 people are getting any side effects (according to the Zoe app).

Up to you.

Pipandmum · 14/02/2021 11:29

Six people i know have had the jabs, ine had achy arm, one felt a but wiped out the next day, the rest felt fine. You can't predict how you will react, but go with a more positive attitude! If you think you will have problems, you just might.

Lightningcrops · 14/02/2021 11:29

It's like any vaccine, it really depends! Part of the reason it seems like lots of people are experiencing side effects is because so many people are having them in a short space of time, so although the % who do have them is likely similar to other jabs, it seems like more.

I felt absolutely fine aside from a bit of a sore injection site overnight, but it was bearable and didn't need painkillers for it; others I work with have had headaches and felt tired the next day, but nothing too bad. I would recommend if have some paracetamol in just in case for the next day, and if able, to have a relaxing day planned. But I am sure you will be fine OP :)

Eyesofdisarray · 14/02/2021 11:31

Achey arm
Tired
Paracetamol worked
Pfizer

Bluntness100 · 14/02/2021 11:31

Op, nearly 15 million people have been injected. Clearly there are no significant side effects. Because you can’t shut 15 million people up

The number globally is about 150 million, and you can’t shut them up either.

So forget the horror stories, the truth of it is obvious,

DenisetheMenace · 14/02/2021 11:31

Side effects are a healthy reaction as your immune system kicks into action, nothing to worry about.

Eyesofdisarray · 14/02/2021 11:31

went to work next day- fine

mumwon · 14/02/2021 11:31

don't read side effects form
They warn you that you might get fluey side effects but if its anything else they give you contact number - But from what I gather on other sites at worst you feel a bit fluey - most don't even get that

CorpusCallosum · 14/02/2021 11:32

I had a slightly sore arm the day after but nothing more.

If you do feel the side effects it's only evidence that your immune system is responding to the vaccine, take paracetamol if needed and embrace it 🤗

Moondust001 · 14/02/2021 11:33

@MagicSummer

I have been so looking forward to getting my vaccine, but now that it is booked for Wednesday, I am getting cold feet. I have read a few horror stories about people feeling they 'have been run over by a bus' or having bad headaches and very painful joints. Has anyone experienced bad side effects or are people just attention-seeking?
Most people have minimal side effects. It is true that a very few people can have the "run over by a bus" syndrome for a few days. Although it is still being researched, this more severe side effect seems to correlate with some people who have previously had the virus.

I have had Covid, and also had swine flu. The worst side effects of the vaccine can't touch the sides of the bus that run me over for weeks on both occasions. Even if I had it exactly as bad (and that is very unlikely) for three or four days, I'd be hammering on the door of the vaccine centre! Honestly, just go get the vaccine.

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 14/02/2021 11:33

Haven't had the vaccine but I have had COVID and it made me feel like I'd been run over by a truck. It took two months to properly recover and has left me with near permanent tinnitus.

I'd take 48 of vaccine side effects over the real illness any day. Just get on with it.

Dinasaurcatcher · 14/02/2021 11:34

My friends mum died from covid last week. Whatever side effects there may be I’m sure one of them isn’t a slow, painful and lonely death.

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 14/02/2021 11:35

@Dinasaurcatcher exactly this!

Sorry for your friend's Mum Thanks

HildegardNightingale · 14/02/2021 11:36

Sore arm and that’s it.

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