Questions for Duer's regarding 2nd vaccine shots

[Fla Dem]

Several of my friends/family members are stressing over the effects of the 2nd shot. They've heard some worrying stories. We've all gotten 1st shots and are scheduled for the 2nd. My sister in particular is very concerned to the point of not getting the 2nd shot. She had a near debilitating headache, with muscle aches and major fatigue after the 1st shot and doesn't want to go through that again.

I've heard more complaints about the Moderna vaccine 2nd shot than the Pfizer. If you've had your 2nd shot, would you mind answering a few questions?

Did you have any severe reactions to your 2nd shot?
If so what kind? Headaches, muscle aches, nausea, fatigue?
How long did it/ they last?
Please indicate which vaccine you received.

Many Thanks

[redstatebluegirl]

1. I get my second tomorrow with gratitude!

I saw my mother on a ventilator, there is no headache so severe that I would want that for myself. I can deal with a couple of days of discomfort to not see the fate my mother did over 40 years ago. I will NEVER forget seeing her on that thing. That is what I remember about her long illness.

Most people I know who have had the second one, had a slight headache, a little tired and just felt a little off for a day or so. Small price to pay.

[Fla Dem]

10. Yes, that's how I feel as well. Looking forward to getting 2nd shot and putting this behind me.

Just trying to convince my sister. Thanks for your reply.

[redstatebluegirl]

12. I really wish she could see someone on a vent, it is lifechanging.

I don't know how to convince a family member like that. Mine all feel as I do because of Mom.

[LakeArenal]

2. Off topic: I met you last Valentines Day.

Good times.

[Fla Dem]

11. What???? We met? OMG where?

[LakeArenal]

17. Nono. I met you here on DU!!!!

I gave you a heart because of something you posted as a comment. You responded.


Also I met Polly Hennessy that day too. I don’t know if you know her.

[Fla Dem]

19. Lol!!! I don't know Polly, but have seen her posting.

Thought I was getting more forgetful. Sometimes don't remember what I did last week.

[LakeArenal]

20. I was told I have entered the Wonder Years..

I wonder why I came in here
I wonder where my glasses are
I wonder where my keys might be....

[Fla Dem]

22. OK, Chuckle award for you!!!!! That made me laugh. It's me!!

[Wellstone ruled]

3. Still waiting for our first shot.

Hope fully Nevada gets their crap together. Not going very well here. People make appointments and never show up,what is happening is,people are flooding the Sites and then not showing.

[In_The_Wind]

4. Thanks for these questions.

We are still trying to get our 1st shot.


Looking forward to reading the answers.

[NCDem47]

5. Pfizer here for what's it's worth.

No reaction at all to first and second shots.

This past fall I received a flu shot and two shingles vax shots and had body aches and chills the first evening on all of them and that was it. But nothing with COVID vax.

The rest of my family had Moderna and sister had aches/chills with second. My mother's doctor told her she was hearing anedcodtal feedback about second Moderna shot. But in all instances, it was usually just 24 hours of symptoms. Sounds like an old wives tales, but having symptoms tells you that the shot "is working."

[Fla Dem]

9. Thank you.

I just had a sore arm for about 12 hours after my 1st Pfizer shot. Started around 10 pm the day of the shot and was pretty much gone by 10AM the next morning.

I've never really had any reactions to shots, except penicillin, had severe case of hives.

[Coleman]

6. Had my 2nd shot last Thursday.

After the 1st one, I had a sore shoulder and diarrhea. After the 2nd one, nothing on Thursday. Friday had muscle aches and fever (topping out at 100.4). Saturday the aches were gone, temp normal, diarrhea and didn't sleep. Monday I feel fine, not even tired (though I had 0 sleep).

I've heard and read terrible stories. The main thing is remember it is short.

[Fla Dem]

13. Yes agree, but I guess when you've had a tough reaction,

it puts a little apprehension in your thinking. Thanks for your response.

[mrs_p]

7. I've have both Pfizer shots

Nothing the first time and just soreness in my arm where I had the shot the second time. Lasted two days.

Of ~20 of us (in a lab where there is COVID testing being performed) only one person had any kind of reaction and only to the second dose. She had fatigue and chills. Started the day after the shot and lasted about 24 hours.

[Fla Dem]

15. Thanks very much. Good to hear from the scientific community!!!

It's about what I've been hearing about the Pfizer shot. Moderna I heard hits a bit harder.

[littlebit]

8. I got the second Moderna shot

on Saturday. I had a headache and a few muscle aches yesterday. I took some Advil and was ok after that. I woke up this morning feeling ok. And my arm doesn't hurt near as bad as it did after the first shot.

[Fla Dem]

16. Thank you. Good to hear.

[Hoyt]

14. Would like to get first one. Where I live, the agencies, etc., don't answer the phone, on-line it

simply says "no appointments available."

I'm fine with waiting awhile to let teachers, healthcare workers, etc., get vaccinated, but at least leave a message or say "trump lied about vaccine availability so you are going to have to wait longer."

[Fla Dem]

18. Sorry you've hit a bottleneck.

That's how we were in Fla. Was hearing about snowbirds and other non-essentials getting the shots. But every time I tried to schedule in the over 65 group, was told there were no openings. Then all of a sudden things started to open up, at least in my area in NE Fla. Within the past week, my circle of friends and I were all able to get scheduled and get our 1st shots.

I think some states were holding back vaccines they actually had available because they thought they wouldn't be getting more in time for the 2nd shots that were scheduled. Once Biden came in and told them to use what they had available and more is coming they increased 1st shot scheduling.

Good luck, hope you get scheduled soon.

[MuseRider]

21. Watching for answers.

We get our second shot next week. So grateful and a teeny, tiny bit worried because of the stories.

[Fla Dem]

23. That's me. Want to get the 2nd on the 28th, and convincing myself it'll be no big deal.

[MuseRider]

27. Just remember,

it will be a lesser deal than Covid 19.

[tblue37]

24. This "Atlantic" article explains why the second shot is often worse, and why that's a good thing:

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/02/second-vaccine-side-effects/617892/

[Fla Dem]

25. Thank you. I just sent this link to my family.

[Mr.Bill]

26. While I appreciate those sharing their experiences,

remember they are anecdotal. Here's a broader look:

My daughter is the coordinator for vaccine operations at our local hospital. They are vaccinating over 400 people six days a week. To the best of their knowledge, around 10-15% of those receiving the Moderna vaccine, even on the second dose, are experiencing unpleasant side effects. By "to the best of their knowledge", I mean they are asking people to contact the clinic if they have reactions, but can't be 100% sure if everyone experiencing a reaction is calling the clinic. Only three people have reported side effects serious enough to go to the ER. This is out of thousands of people.

It's only natural, I think, for people to report on the internet if they are having serious problems, and as I said, I appreciate that. I, for instance, had my first shot and from the moment I had it I felt exactly as if I had no shot at all. I did not feel compelled to start a thread reporting that, but I probably would have if I had serious problems. Keep in mind just about all of those here reporting that say they felt fine in a few days.

I share people's concern as the time approaches for my second shot, but IMHO, there is very little reason to be discouraged from getting the vaccine because of what they are reading on the internet. If you have doubts, call your doctor or other health care professional and discuss it with them.

And trust me, if you have worries, you are not alone. About 20% of the health care workers at our local hospital have refused the vaccine themselves. The choice is yours, but make it an informed choice, and consider the source of your information.

[Fla Dem]

28. Thanks Mr. Bill certainly good advice.

I don't think any of us would reject getting our 2nd shots. And yes, most of what I've heard is positive; very little if any reaction other than a sore arm. So while apprehensive, knowing that the 2nd shot MAY cause more severe reactions, I will certainly get my 2nd shot. I also believe my sister will as well even though she had a strong reaction to the 1st shot.