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Covid

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Original poster

Having covid vaccine next week, what side effects should I expect and how bad?

54 replies

elliejjtiny · 21/02/2021 17:52

I've been called for my vaccine and I'm going to have it but wondering about side effects and wanted to know if there was anything that helped so I can make sure I have it in advance. I know the side effects will be much less than having covid but I've heard a few horror stories. I am getting the jab because I'm a carer so I can't afford to recline on the sofa and watch box sets like a lot of people I know did for the first 2 days afterwards. Can someone tell me that either I'll be fine or I just need to take a magic combination of drugs and all will be well.

OP posts:

Spodge · 21/02/2021 18:37

I've heard stories ranging from no side effects to a couple of days of feeling really quite rotten and then bouncing back.

I've been doing some research as I have having the AZ jab myself next week. Basically the advice seems to be:

make sure you are well rested
make sure you are (and keep) hydrated
don't exercise vigorously within a couple of hours before or after the jab even if you feel fine
consider not having alcohol the night before the jab

NK346f2849X127d8bca260 · 21/02/2021 18:44

I have mine on Friday, everyone who i know who have had AZ had bad side effects, the ones who have had Pfizer have been fine, just a sore arm.
My children are teens so can fend for themselves for a couple of days if need be.

ChocOrange1 · 21/02/2021 18:45

My husband had zero side effects.

Mintjulia · 21/02/2021 18:45

Two sisters and a dbil have had their vaccinations. All reported a sore arm, and feeling tired for 24 hours. Two had AZ and one had Pfizer.

Kathy2020 · 21/02/2021 19:09

I got a very sore arm- probably best to not get the injection into your dominant arm
Felt like I had a moderate hangover for around 36hours fine again after that. Headache, nausea, muscle/ joint pain generally feeling ‘blah’
I did have a bit of chest tightness that lasted 4days but as I have asthma that could be completely coincidental

Kathy2020 · 21/02/2021 19:09

Forgot to mention I got the AZ vaccine

VerbenaGirl · 21/02/2021 19:13

I know a good handful of people who have had it now - Pfizer and AZ - and none have had any side effects. Even a couple who usually struggle with their annual flu vaccine.

sorryiasked · 21/02/2021 19:13

I had the AZ, felt like I was coming down with flu after about 6hrs, followed by 3 hrs of feeling chills and uncontrollable shivering, then 2 hrs of hot sweats. Slept it off, following 2 days felt generally under the weather with some sweats but able to function normally. I'm usually in excellent health but do believe hindsight that I had covid a year ago.

Belle1983 · 21/02/2021 19:24

Do you have any reason to suspect you may have had covid previously?
Of my colleagues who have had their first vaccine, those who have had the worst reactions seem to have had covid previously.

You can take paracetamol for aches, temperature etc. Hopefully you won't have side effects worse than that.

Workinghardeveryday · 21/02/2021 19:35

Had AZ on Sunday afternoon 2 weeks ago. Headache straight after but ok. Monday tired but okay. Tuesday very poorly, felt totally wiped out, bit like a horrible hangover but with a temperature. Poorly until Friday night. I am the sort of person who just gets on with it, but dp came home lunchtime Tuesday to watch kids I was so poorly.

DavidsSchitt · 21/02/2021 19:37

4 said no side effects, 1 said very poorly for a day

Purplewithred · 21/02/2021 19:42

Can someone tell me that either I'll be fine or I just need to take a magic combination of drugs and all will be well.

There is a good chance you will be fine - the Zoe app people say 1/6 report side effects (but not which jab that's for)

You may be mildly rubbish - I was, but still managed a run that day plus cooking and eating a roast dinner. Early night with some paracetamol, was fine the next day.

There is a small chance you will be more poorly than that and need to have a plan B in place, alongside paracetamol fluids and chocolate.

Unfortunately nobody knows. But feeling really rubbish does seem to be in the minority.

ilovesooty · 21/02/2021 19:45

I had the AZ vaccination on Friday and had no side effects at all, not even a sore arm.

Randommother · 21/02/2021 19:54

I had the AZ vaccine 3 weeks ago. About 12 hours after I had it I developed a fever with deep joint aches and headache. There was one point where I was on the sofa, in front of the fire, under 3 blankets and still shivering! 36 hours in it had subsided to feeling like a mild hangover, and by day 3 I was back to normal. I had the vaccine on a Sunday, and had the Monday off work sick. I'd recommend making sure you have the option of a down day afterwards in case it does affect you. I'd also recommend vitamin C and lemsips to get you through. From what I've read avoiding alcohol and staying hydrated also helps.

x2boys · 21/02/2021 19:54

Purely anecdotal ,both myself injecand DH had the Pfizer injection yesterday ,both9us have a bit of a sore arm and feeling tired but so far so good ,
A few of my friends have had the AZ injection and reported feeling achey high temp for a day or two but otherwise ok

elevenplusnightmare · 21/02/2021 20:16

It generally seems more side effects from AZ 1st dose than Pfizer 1st dose but that this is reversed for the 2nd dose (i.e. more side effects from Pfizer than AZ) so no need to think you've had the worse one of the two but worth being prepared. Drink lots of water!!

I had the AZ and came down with chills 10 hours after the jab, followed 4 hours later by hot flushes. Was incredibly thirsty. Just went to bed early and slept it off. None of the people I know who had Pfizer dose 1 had any side effects apart from a sore arm.

Generally speaking the older, the less side effects as I understand.

Just grateful I had a vaccine!

Angel2702 · 21/02/2021 20:20

I had AZ yesterday and had heard of feeling fluent for a day or so, high temp and sore arm. I had an hour of heavy feeling in my arm but nothing since. Can’t even see the vaccination site today. I felt worse after the flu jab.

ineedaholidayandwine · 21/02/2021 20:26

Had AZ vaccine a few hours ago and so far only a slight ache in my arm, nothing else.
My mum works in a hospital and recommends to keep moving your arm to avoid it getting too stiff

PilatesPeach · 21/02/2021 20:46

I had Pfizer 17th January and no side effects at all. My 2nd dose is due 1st April and am prepared to feel lousy after that as I do hear it is likely in some people. I have never had covid that I am aware of.

CKBJ · 21/02/2021 20:56

My mum had AZ vaccine yesterday. Last night uncontrollable whole body shakes, then temp of 38.9 brought down to 38.6 with paracetamol. Pins and needles. Today she says she feels flu like and hasn’t got out of bed. Temp spiked again at 7pm. My dad had Pfizer about a month ago and apart a sore arm and tired a couple hours after absolutely fine.

Pieceofpurplesky · 21/02/2021 21:15

Mum and dad both in their 80s had AZ and no side effects at all.

I just want mine now (I am in band 6)

StarlightandSunlight · 21/02/2021 21:21

I had bad shivers and chills about five hours after the AZ vaccine and then was very hot and sweaty overnight with a thumping headache. The next morning the chills and temperature had gone but I still had the headache and just felt yuk. The headache started to lessen over the next day and now all I've got is a slightly sore arm which is getting better all the time.

My parents and other relatives haven't had any side effects at all from it.

WitchesBritchesPumpkinPants · 21/02/2021 21:34

I had mine a fortnight ago, same day as 4 friends.

I have underlying a and frequently feel crap, have headaches, aches etc. I had a slightly different headache, but otherwise just either very low level dude effects or just my usual Shute. No way of telling. My arm didn't hurt at all.

Friend 1 - a bit fluey/headachy, but all minor.
Friend 2 - went to work- lots of lifting & stuff, slightly like he had a cold & a bit if a sore arm
Friend 3 - nothing at all.

Cousin last week - bit tired
Cousin with SEN - slightly sore arm.

Absolutely nothing that a couple of Panadol wouldn't have seen off.

I was prepared to feel absolutely shit so I had some easy to eat/drinks in & plenty if Panadol - but didn't need them.

Try to drink lots of water & avoid alcohol. Mainly to help your body build immunity!

hartof · 21/02/2021 21:40

I went for mine this week, took a sick bowl, the night I'd had it I had several layers at the side of my bed just incase and paracetamol. I was absolutely fine! Got a bit of a dead arm very soon after but it went soon after.

hartof · 21/02/2021 21:41

Oh I was tired but I put that down to not sleeping great the week leading up to it. I had Pfizer

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