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Original poster

Vaccination - side effects lasting longer than a few days and why are the side effects so pronounced in younger people?

79 replies

Rainbowsandstorms · 25/03/2021 11:00

Have many people had side effects from the AZ vaccination that have lasted more than a few days?

Also can anyone explain to me why the AZ vaccination seem to have such pronounced side effects in younger people in comparison to other vaccinations. I understand that younger people have a stronger immune response but the side effects seem to be very pronounced in many younger people. I’ve not heard of many people ending up in bed after other vaccinations. I plan to get mine as soon as it’s offered but I’m in my 30s and I’m feeling a bit nervous about how many younger people seem to be quite ill after their first dose.

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 25/03/2021 21:03

[quote Rainbowsandstorms]@Babyroobs I hope you recover soon, that sounds really scary. Which vaccination did you have? It’s stories like yours that worry me everyone responds so differently.[/quote]
I had the Astrazeneca one. I can honestly say I have never experienced anything so scary and never ever had anything like this before. I have to ring an eye specialist tomorrow to see if they can shed any light on what happened. GP did not seem convinced it could be a focal seizure but I have a brother who has epilepsy and worked as a neurology Nurse for a couple of years and can only think that this was what I experienced. The reality is that no one really knows what rare side effects there could be.

Stuffin · 25/03/2021 21:07

Late 40s had the AZ and no side effects at all. Not even a sore arm, bloody hurt when it went in but nothing afterwards.

Babyroobs · 25/03/2021 21:18

I should also say that I feel I have always had a very good immune system. I have not had a cold for over ten years and never had flu in my life and I am 52, so maybe just had a bad reaction because my immune system is so good?

MrFlibblesEyes · 25/03/2021 21:19

Im 34 and had the Pfizer vaccine (health care worker) with absolutely no side effects apart from a sore arm the next day. I contacted covid 3 weeks later and had a relatively mild dose, just like a bad flu for a couple of days and a bit of feeling out of breath (just like being at high altitude). I'm due my second dose next Thursday which will be about 7 weeks after having covid- I wonder if I will react more this time with a stronger immune response from already having covid? 😬

BareGrylls · 25/03/2021 21:48

I think young people have stronger immune systems but as someone posted above they are not used to having vaccines or to feeling ill. I remember having a typhoid jab in my 20s and being unwell for several days.
Older people, and those with underlying health conditions are more used to feeling unwell and pain.

Justcurious93 · 25/03/2021 21:58

I'm in my mid 20s and had Pfizer. Felt sick and dizzy for about 24 hours then absolutely fine. 10 days post vaccine I went onto a covid ward for 3 weeks and didn't contract covid Grin defo worth it!

HarrietOh · 25/03/2021 21:58

My friends (who I know through gym and all very fit) all under 30 all experienced racing heart, fever and aches during the night but well enough again within 24 hours. Older people who I know who’ve had it (over 50) only had sore arms!
I’m in 30s and have had COVID so feel a bit resigned that when I get it I’ll get side effects, although I never react to flu vaccine so fingers crossed!

HarrietOh · 25/03/2021 21:59

All under 40*

MrsApplepants · 25/03/2021 22:01

I’m 41, had the Astra vaccine, had no side effects at all apart from a sore arm which had gone by the morning.

Dolciedolly · 25/03/2021 22:05

Had it yesterday 47 and felt rough all day ...
Headache , chills , severe fatigue , nausea , body aches just hope it does not last much longer

Careylisa · 25/03/2021 22:06

I'm 40, I had mine a week ago. The next morning I couldn't lift my head off the pillow my head was pounding so much, I had waves of dizziness and sickness that lasted all day. I felt a bit rough for a couple of days after that, now I week later after feeling a little off, I'm beginning to feel ok again.
My husband, also 40 had his the day after me and all he had was a sore arm!

highlandcoo · 25/03/2021 22:07

I had AZ. The next day I felt very tired by lunchtime and went to bed for the afternoon; the following day my energy levels were lower than usual and from then on I've felt fine.
Very glad to have had it done.

SunbathingDragon · 25/03/2021 22:10

It’s known about people being in bed because it’s more in the public domain and being talked about. Have you ever seen a baby after a MenB or toddler after the first MMR? Sometimes they really do just need a day or so of cuddles and rest, which is the same thing.

The younger you are, your immune system is usually stronger and better.

kowari · 25/03/2021 22:13

Half of my 50 year old colleagues had to have at least a day (unpaid) off work. One was very ill with flu symptoms and had to take three days off. Seems to be the healthiest people who are never normally ill who are having the worst effects.

Babyroobs · 25/03/2021 22:49

@kowari

Half of my 50 year old colleagues had to have at least a day (unpaid) off work. One was very ill with flu symptoms and had to take three days off. Seems to be the healthiest people who are never normally ill who are having the worst effects.
Yes same here, there are 3 of us in the team who had it within a few days of each other. One had to finish work at 11am the following day as she felt so rough, another has had four days off sick and had to have paramedics called out to her ! Young team leader says he is dreading us all having the second one within a few days of each other and all taking sick time off again !!
ParvaAvis · 25/03/2021 22:52

Hi OP. I’m aged 52, my underlying health condition is asthma, which is pretty well controlled. I had the AZ vaccine a month ago.

That same evening after the jab, I had a temperature/shivers/aches everywhere/exhaustion/nausea/felt like I’d been run over by a bus. I felt very poorly for about three days.

Until one week ago I still had chronic exhaustion/tiredness and I was still very achy, in my joints and muscles. I literally couldn’t get enough sleep and I just couldn’t keep my eyes open and I felt bloody grim actually. I have the ‘flu vaccine annually and I have never had any side effects from it.

This week I’m back to my normal self...good luck OP.

Todaytomorrowyesterday · 25/03/2021 22:56

I’m early 40’s other than feeling like I had a 3 day hangover & a sore arm fairly ok ( managed with paracetamol) but a week in I’m knackered really struggled at work the last 2 days! Could be just ready for a break from work no idea if vaccine related!

Xenia · 25/03/2021 22:59

I have chosen not to have it so far for various reasons.

SixDegrees · 25/03/2021 23:10

I’m early 40’s and had mine at the weekend.
I was a bit feverish and shivery on the night of the vaccination, and very tired the next day, but now I’m back to normal energy wise.

I do still have a sore lump on my arm where I was jabbed. Sore enough that I still won’t be able to sleep on that side tonight.

middleager · 26/03/2021 00:36

I know three female relatives in their 70s who all had a rough time with across two days, with aches, chills, migraines and vomiting, so not sure if the theory is correct.

lostPEkit · 26/03/2021 02:25

I tend to agree with previous posters that part of it is probably just that we’re all talking/ asking each other about the side effects. I felt absolutely terrible for a few days after last year’s flu jab (couldn’t go to bed because I’m a single parent and the show has to go on, but I’d have spent a couple of days in bed if I could). I don’t think I mentioned it to anyone other than my mother though, because nobody’s going to be interested in your flu jab where everyone is talking about Covid vaccination status.

Gothichouse40 · 26/03/2021 02:50

Please could everyone who has had terrible side effects report it to the Yellow Card Scheme. If people don't, the scientists will assume that side effects aren't happening. I'm convinced this happened with a flu vaccination I had years ago. I was so ill with it for about 3 weeks but nurse/doctor didn't believe me and kept telling me it could not possibly have been the flu vaccination. Im convinced it was but unfortunately few people seem to report side effects.

starfish88 · 26/03/2021 05:32

I suppose there is also a bias of if you feel crappy after the vaccination then you think it's because of the vaccination. When I got mine (non-UK, early 30s) DS was teething during both doses so I ended up feeling pretty wiped out but I have no idea how much was vaccination and how much was bad sleep. I felt just as bad the last few days as he's onto canines now and I don't have vaccination to blame it on this time!

leafygarden42 · 26/03/2021 05:38

@Rainbowsandstorms

I had Astra Zeneca vaccine and had no side effects at all.

springisintheair2021 · 26/03/2021 06:32

I had Covid in January and really unwell for 10 days. Had the first Pfizer vaccine last month and no side effects ( I don't count an uncomfortable arm) I'm late 50's
Parents, late 80's have had both AZ vaccines and no side effects at all
DD, mid 30's has had first AZ and felt a bit unwell for a day, massive arm swelling and bruising which is still there 3 weeks later