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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:
eeyore228 · 14/02/2021 11:36

OP it's a bit like asking how ill you will be if you get a cold! Everyone is different, lots of people I know who have had it had a sore arm and a bit tired. Problem is we tend to hear more about the adverse reactions of the minority!

Angrymum22 · 14/02/2021 11:38

Work in health care we have all had the vaccine. Ages range from 25-60 male and female. Total of 12 people, the only side effects were sore arms and mild fatigue.
I see a lot of elderly patients and have not heard of any serious side effects. The worst are probably raised temp and flu like symptoms for 24/48hrs.
Make sure you have plenty of analgesics and just rest afterwards.

ShakeTheDisease · 14/02/2021 11:39

Sore arm and nothing else. Was all fine. Had AstraZeneca.

Parky04 · 14/02/2021 11:41

Had Pfizer on Thursday and had a sore arm for 24 hours. Feel 100% now.

PandoraP · 14/02/2021 11:43

I had Pfizer and had sore arm the next day. No other side effects. I am more worried about the side effects of catching Covid!!!!

Original poster
MagicSummer · 14/02/2021 11:45

Thanks everyone! Just being a bit of a baby I suppose! I shall attend with a positive attitude!

OP posts:
Nc967125 · 14/02/2021 11:48

I had AZ one.
Had it on the Friday. Started feeling ill on the evening. Fever, nausea, and body aches. Took paracetamol every 4 hours and after 24hrs I was fine.
I imagine covid would make me feel worse!

yikesanotherbooboo · 14/02/2021 11:49

I have had 2 doses of Pfizer; no symptoms at all after the first but felt awful for a couple of days after the second.
DM has also had both doses and had a slightly tender arm.
DH and DC have had dose 1 and only had a sore arm.
Colleagues at work had a variety of symptoms but in all cases they were short lived .

Spied · 14/02/2021 11:49

AstraZeneca.
Low grade headache that actually lasted two weeks so very likely nothing to do with the vaccineConfused.
Main side-effect was feeling absolutely amazing that I'd had it!! I'll never forget that feelingSmile

TheTurnOfTheScrew · 14/02/2021 11:51

Most of my colleagues and I have had the AstraZeneca jab. Most people reported mild flu like symptoms which needed paracetemol. No-one felt they were bad enough to stay off work. Personally I didn't get a single side effect, which perversely makes me worry that I didn't generate an immune response.

Hopeishere52 · 14/02/2021 11:53

My 80 year old mum had first injection and no side effects at all. Just relief she had it. My dad has had both now and no side effects either.

EATmum · 14/02/2021 11:54

Had AZ yesterday and had a fever/aches last night which are both wearing off this morning and responded well to paracetamol. Not the best night ever - but seriously, absolutely nothing compared to having COVID. I feel so incredibly lucky to be given my first dose, and nothing I've read about concerns/side effects would have stopped me from accepting it.

Kitkat151 · 14/02/2021 11:57

Everyone I know who has had AZ has been quite ill after vaccine....even those in their 20s ...l. A couple needing sick time off work....everyone who has had Pfizer has had a sore arm but nothing else ( including me).... that’s just the experience of me and those I know of course

raviolidreaming · 14/02/2021 11:58

Are you also Mumof3andlovingit? They too were apparently 'so looking forward to the vaccine' but now they're booked in for (also) Wednesday are wanting to post vague anti-vaccine rhetoric on the internet.

HairyFloppins · 14/02/2021 12:00

My mum and my MIL both in their 70s had the AZ a couple of weeks ago. My mum had the chills one night took paracetamol and has been fine ever since out shopping every day. My MIL felt tired for one day and slept a lot and is fine now.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 14/02/2021 12:01

DH had AZ on Wednesday, no side effects. A friend had Pfizer, also no side effects

Binglebong · 14/02/2021 12:03

I had no effects, a colleague felt rubbish for a day or two but is fine now. Most people had sore arms (they had a needle stabbed into them- how does this count as a side effect??) but all absolutely fine after a few days.

Go for it!

HesterShaw1 · 14/02/2021 12:04

Ever had the flu vaccine? Similar.

Wouldn't you rather a bit of a headache and a sore arm (fairly likely) than restrictions continuing indefinitely because people are nervous of extremely temporary side effects? Yes there's a chance you'll feel ill. But we take that chance every day during normal winters.

Mimilamore · 14/02/2021 12:05

Achey arm, extreme tiredness, no headache, paracetamol, night's sleep , much better today.

alltheadrenalin · 14/02/2021 12:05

Sore arm and achy legs for a day or two. Very glad I had it

DowntonCrabby · 14/02/2021 12:06

A range of family members, colleagues and I (age range 35-91) have had Pfizer, we’ve all only had sore arms for a day.
The couple of people that have had the AZ have had mild headaches/fluey feeling/aching for a few days in some cases but not enough that’s stopped them going about their usual activities.

sleepyhead · 14/02/2021 12:09

Both my parents found that it made them feel a bit grim and fluey the next day and they went to bed early. Felt fine after 24 hrs.

I think it's meant to be a good thing isnt it? It's caused by your immune system doing its job and creating lots of antibodies.

Original poster
MagicSummer · 14/02/2021 12:14

@raviolidreaming

Are you also Mumof3andlovingit? They too were apparently 'so looking forward to the vaccine' but now they're booked in for (also) Wednesday are wanting to post vague anti-vaccine rhetoric on the internet.
No, promise that's not me! I am not a Mum of 3 either! I am certainly not anti-vaccine in any way!
OP posts:
Notabs · 14/02/2021 12:27

Just a sore arm and aching legs. Also had an upset stomach and gas which is apparently also a side effect. I work from home so doesn’t impact too much on my life!