What v-safe registrants wrote to the CDC after their Pfizer or Moderna shots, in their own words. Each card is one person,
with all of their free text. This page shows only the longer stories: the 116,000 people who wrote at least 400 characters in all.
The text is as the CDC released it, except that email addresses and phone numbers are hidden.
You get a random set of these people on every visit.
Mobility decreased, Tenderness and Edema peripheral
3.20.2021 – Tenderness and swelling in my armpit on side I got shot
3.21.2021 – Sore armpit (lymph nodes) on side of injection
3.22.2021 – Armpit still sore on shot side.
10.5.2021 – Swollen lymph nodes under left armpit.
10.6.2021 – Swollen lymph node under left armpit. Hurts to wear a bra
10.8.2021 – Still have swollen lymph nodes under armpit. Painful and can't put arm all the way down.
10.9.2021 – Still swollen and hurt under my armpit / lymph nodes
10.10.2021 – Swollen lymph node under armpit. Still painful
10.11.2021 – Still sore under my armpit
Eosinophilic esophagitis, Autoimmune thyroiditis and Irritable bowel syndrome
1.12.2021 – Migraine
2.10.2021 – I had dizziness and nausea this past Sunday and Monday with ongoing fatigue and sore arm. I woke up today and felt great and all pain was gone.
3.12.2021 – Increased frequency of migraines
3.19.2021 – Sore throat and nasal congestion x 1 week
8.8.2021 – Eosinophilic Esophagitis Two EGD procedures
2.5.2022 – Diagnosed with Hashimoto's in Jan 2022
10.20.2022 – Onset of arthritis and increased frequency of IBS symptoms
12.24.2022 – Tachycardia with episodes of dizziness and near syncope
Joint swelling, Back pain and Arthralgia
3.21.2021 – Pain is in my right arm and shoulder. My shot was in my left arm.
3.24.2021 – Pain in right arm is somewhat severe at times
3.25.2021 – Im going to the doctor tomorrow to make sure my right arm pain and fatigue isnt something else.
4.1.2021 – Terrible back pain and pain in opposite arm of shot.
4.15.2021 – Knees are swollen.
5.14.2021 – Both arms hurt and ache. Especially at nighttime. Wakes me up quite often. Dont know if theres a connection or not but didnt have these aches before being vaccinated.
Cardiac flutter, Breast pain and Sleep disorder
2.8.2021 – No
2.9.2021 – I had a little diarrhea last evening that I forgot to report. It has sense cleared up.
2.12.2021 – Some unexplained flutterings in my chest area that started yesterday, but has not occurred again in the last six hours.
3.13.2021 – I experienced an excruciating headache that didnt last long, pains shooting through my breast, some disturbances in my chest around my heart area. I had to physically go into my doctors office for an examination.
3.20.2021 – Stuff, painful neck that prevents me from turning it to the left a complete 90 degrees.
10.11.2021 – I have had trouble breathing, and it catching my breath, especially at night. Three nights in a row I had to get up out of bed because I couldn't breath.
Injection site pruritus, Insomnia and Diarrhea
2.14.2021 – Injection site started itching on Day 11 post injection and is still itchy.
2.21.2021 – Had very loose stools ever since my injection site started to itch. It stopped 2 days ago and restarted today. Also the injection site stopped itching 2 days ago but , I had a sharp pain at the site today which went away after 5 min
3.3.2021 – Woke up at 4 AM with pain at injection site and all previously reported symptoms. I feel tired b/c I could not get back to sleep
Sciatica, Cardiac disorder and Neuralgia
1.20.2021 – Large red patch near vaccination site, itchy on same spot
1.27.2021 – I have had a place on my arm right below where my injection was that turned pretty red and itched like crazy. About 4 in diameter.
2.4.2021 – Terrible sharp pains in l. Breast
2.6.2021 – Terrible stabbing pains in my left breast - shot was on right.
5.14.2022 – Heart related and back related Pcp visits
6.11.2022 – Right after the vaccination my left leg had terrible pain a sciatic nerve.
7.28.2022 – Runny nose, hot all the time, tired
10.27.2022 – Positive Covid test on Monday
Tension headache, Sluggishness and Balance disorder
2.15.2021 – Left arm sore,hurts a little when I lift my arm
2.17.2021 – A tiny bit of pain around injection site, slight headache tdy & yesterday evening
3.16.2021 – Sluggish, lower backache
3.17.2021 – Slightly sluggish, a little off balance
3.18.2021 – Some lower backache
3.19.2021 – Slight lower backache,
3.20.2021 – Slight pain under upper arm pit Lots sneezing, stuffy nose, slight lower backache
4.5.2021 – Having mini Tension Headaches, 2-3x a wk in the last 3 weeks, woke up with some, some occurred in the middle of the day. Dont know what triggered them.
4.12.2021 – Mini Tension Headaches a little more frequent, 2x a week, sometimes 3x a week
4.19.2021 – Its not really worse, but still getting the mini Tension Headaches 2-3x a week, sometimes 2 in one day. They come on all of a sudden & last for 5-10 mins, stop & then come back later in the day or at night. Wake up with them also. O.k otherwise so fa
Gaze palsy, Sleep disorder and Asthma
8.10.2021 – Constant headache. Ive taken Tylenol & Migraine Excedrin. Not at the same time. Tried consuming water.
8.17.2021 – Fever high of 101, headache, runny and stuffy nose, dizziness, body aches, chills, sore throat, constant sweating, Asthma- trouble breathing, light cough, earache, chest pains on majority of left side occasionally right side. Did a drive thru Covid testing center/ Chest X-Rays at a walk in express clinic.
1.25.2022 – Fatigued all the time. Having sleep issues as well.
Sleep disorder, Urticaria and Injection site erythema
2.15.2021 – I don't know if it's related but for the past couple of days I have been more tired than usual and have experienced some headaches.
2.24.2021 – The red area on my arm is about 3" around and it is not at the injection site but about 1"-2" below where I got the vaccine. Also I have had some sleep issues.
3.14.2021 – For the past two days I have had a headache. It is mild but my husband also mentioned that he had headache for the past two days. It's just three weeks since our second vaccine
3.21.2021 – Last week for a day or two I had a persistently running nose.
10.27.2021 – yesterday I broke out in hives at the doctor's office and had to get a steroid shot. I have had hives / rash since the morning after the vaccine.
12.3.2021 – I had rash/hives. The first time was at my doctor's office on my left arm. She witnessed it and gave me a cortizone injection. Last week hives on arm, later really itchy ankles. Today itchy/hives on ankles. Also non-stop sniffles (since 2nd dose)
1.23.2022 – I get a periodic rash. It started a couple days after my booster. I've had it happen every couple of weeks. Usually a half a Zyrtec will take care of the itchiness.
4.24.2022 – Every few weeks I get a rash. This is happen since shortly after I got the booster. I take a Zyrtec and it goes away.
Poor quality sleep, Menstruation irregular and Peripheral swelling
4.15.2021 – Hands swollen after walking for exercise outside. May be allergy related but has not happened before?
12.5.2021 – Sore throat
12.26.2021 – Have not been sleeping well consistently since about a week after the booster, feel more fatigued than usual.
1.16.2022 – Had trouble sleeping month after receiving booster.
6.18.2022 – Congestion in throat, scratchy, trouble sleeping
6.22.2022 – Cough and congestion since Friday night after booster Thursday afternoon. Tested negative for each of pcr covid, strep and flu.
6.26.2022 – Cough
12.15.2022 – Unexpected period
Arteriospasm coronary, Impaired gastric emptying and Skin swelling
2.9.2021 – Face breaking out
2.10.2021 – Underskin chili size bump. Doesn't hurt.
2.21.2021 – I ache all over, especially my legs.
3.6.2021 – Deep coughing. It might be due to piece of tortilla chip going down wrong tube. Initially, I couldn't catch my breath. Now 6 hours later I'm still coughing. Dr. testing for GERD for last 5 weeks. Cardiologist diahnosed agina caused by arterial coronary spasms.
3.11.2021 – I don't think these are related to the vaccine. I have chronic pain issues.
3.27.2021 – Joint and back aches.
4.3.2021 – Seems like my sense of smell has decreased. I can smell very strong scents, but definitely not all scents.
4.10.2021 – Lots of sneezing, coughing, joints and muscle aches. I've been sleeping at least 12 hours the night 2 nights.
12.14.2021 – Chest pain. I ve been previously diagnosed with coronary artery spasms and GERD. Plus either coming down with cold or flu. Telemed appointment tomorrow, Wednesday, December 15.
11.17.2022 – Newly diagnosed gastroparesis. Today it feels like I'm getting a cold.
Pain in jaw, Tenderness and Ear pain
2.1.2021 – Ear ache last night and today.
2.2.2021 – Neck sore and seems to go into my ear and jaw. Ibuprofen helps
2.3.2021 – Ear ache and sore throatsuch severe pain last night that I went to urgent care because I thought it was strep. Dr said ear was clear and no irritation in throat. He assumed it was a side effect of the vaccine
2.5.2021 – Sore throat, glands in neck and below ear are swollen.
2.7.2021 – Mild Sore throat, tenderness in neck under ear
2.28.2021 – Intermittent Ear ache and sore throat with tenderness in neck that gets worse at night and better in the morning. Started last night.
3.2.2021 – Swelling of lymph nodes in neck below the right ear
Vomiting, Nasal congestion and Diarrhea
7.30.2021 – I had a mild cold. I wondered if it could be covid. I wasn't tested but my sister and brother in law were (had same cold at same time at beach). They had it worse. They were negative.
12.25.2021 – Sore throat, cough, nasal congestion. I had 2 pcr tests and a rapid test, negative for covid. Appears to have been a cold. No fever, no loss of smell.
3.26.2022 – I threw up and had diarhea for a 24 hour period, about 2 weeks ago, suspect a unrelated virus
7.5.2022 – Pain in left shoulder when raising arm and reaching back. Suspect shoulder impingement or rotator cuff issues. I plan to make an appt with orthopedist. Haven't made appt yet but will be outpatient clinic
Respiratory distress, Ventricular tachycardia and Cardioversion
2.13.2021 – I had Ventriculartackacardia and was in the hospital unable to breath for 2 days, and was unable to get the shot. I got home last night, after my shot appointment. I also have a bad cough.
2.20.2021 – Bad cough, ventricular tachacardia, extremely distressed breathing, hospitalized for 2 days, Afib, heart rate 130-140. Got prepped for cardioversion and heart went into normal sinus rhythm. Missed my second vaccine, Was released and went home
2.27.2021 – Increased Afib, lasting for several days at a time, even while on the increased Sotalol medication. When I am in Afib that long, even 1/2 a day, fatigue sets in and I am exhausted.I have also got the cough I had, when I had the covid, that came back.
7.17.2021 – Bad Afib, too much sotolol to function properly. Chose to have a Wolf Minimaze. In 4th week right now following surgery.Doing much better!.
Aura, Facial paralysis and Blindness
1.8.2021 – Running nose, and nasal congestion, watery eyes, short of breath
1.13.2021 – Nasal congestion, and runny nose, wheezing and short of breath
1.28.2021 – Nasal congestion
2.4.2021 – Severe headache, nausea, chills, joint pain and muscle pain, dizzy, vertigo
4.26.2021 – Severe headaches, Daily visual aura headaches, one sided facial droop with migraine, unequal dilation of eye pupils, extreme eye sensitivity to light, vision loss changes, extreme high blood pressure, daily fatigue, feeling tired. Several emergency room visits:CatScan, EKG, lab work, MRI, new medications, referrals specialist
Photophobia, Heart rate irregular and Cold sweat
1.16.2021 – Eyes are blurry, have been off and on since first vaccination.
1.23.2021 – Vision becomes blurry at times and sensitive to bright sunlight. Had a similar condition about an hour after the first vaccination.
2.7.2021 – Ear ache in AM
2.13.2021 – Irregular heart beat
2.22.2021 – Irregular heart beat. Had for approximately 5 days. Seems to have gone now. Was also feeling very tired. Told my Dr.
2.27.2021 – Irregular heartbeat. In hospital now Chest pain, cold sweats, irregular heartbeat
3.6.2021 – Irregular heartbeat. After 2nd Maderna vacination
3.14.2021 – Irregular heart beat occasionally after second vaccination. ER twice, hospital once. Nuclear stress test, no blockages. Taking meds. ???
2.6.2022 – Blurry vision in right eye.
Breast feeding, Abnormal dreams and Impaired work ability
1.7.2021 – Brain fog
1.8.2021 – No symptoms today, I feel fairly normal. Update to yesterday, my brain fog was worse than I realized. I found mistakes I made at work that I wouldn't have normally made. This should probably be done when someone has time off!
1.27.2021 – Had another mild headache which is outside the norm for me.
2.3.2021 – Had brain fog and mild headache day after vaccine. Also general malaise, mild. Very similar to first vaccine except for the general malaise this time.
2.12.2021 – Had a couple days within the last week of inexplicable, extreme tiredness. Would not describe as fatigue. It concerned me because this was long after my initial response and unlike the initial response.
3.5.2021 – Intermittent mild headaches. This is NOT baseline for me. Also still having intermittent strange dreams.
9.26.2022 – General fatigue while my cold was sick (FYI, still breastfeeding)
Diverticulitis, Gait disturbance and Cold sweat
2.11.2021 – Sweating excessively
2.12.2021 – Some cold sweats
2.14.2021 – Eye pain. I have had pain in the orbit of one eye for a coiple of days. Am at the opthalmologist checking it out Went to eye hospital emergency room
5.10.2021 – I had diverticulitis, abdominal pain and fever. I have had other episodes in the past.
10.26.2021 – No
10.27.2021 – Lots of sweating when the fever came down.
10.28.2021 – A little wobbly when i walk.
11.1.2021 – The rash extended to my elbow for a few hours today
11.15.2021 – Since the last checkup (week two) I experienced a rash. First on both arms near the elbow bend. Then the arm where I got the shot developed a rash from shoulder to elbow. It was hot and itchy. I also felt very tired all week. 2nd week.
Productive cough, Urticaria and Vomiting
1.3.2021 – Lingering fatigue.
1.26.2021 – Tight non productive cough, sob, nasal congestion I will be getting a COVID test
2.9.2021 – Severe itching to scalp and upper body
2.10.2021 – Generalized rash to torso and scalp. Severe itching
2.11.2021 – Even on steroids and other antihistamines I am still itching.
2.12.2021 – Still have rash
2.13.2021 – I still have a rash
2.20.2021 – Hives and rash spreading despite steroids and other antihistamines. Visit to ED, allergist and PICO this week alone
2.27.2021 – Continued hives even with high does steroids
3.6.2021 – Hives, nausea and vomiting
Pruritus, Rash and Pain in extremity
2.7.2021 – Just that these symptoms (rash and itching) just began 8 days following the injection
3.7.2021 – I did experience headache, body aches, fatigue, and fever of 100.8 beginning 16 hours post-injection and lasting for approximately 24 hours. By wake-up time on 3/7, I felt restored to myself.
5.15.2022 – I had the vaccine on 5/12. On the 13th I experienced the sore arm, body aches, headache and fever that have been my reaction to all of the covid vaccines. These lasted for ab out 24 hours.
Nipple pain, Neck mass and Aphthous ulcer
3.3.2021 – I don't know if this is coincidental, but I forgot to mention in previous check-ins that I've had 4 cold sores and several canker sores beginning about 4 days after my first vaccine, and this is unusual. I'm just putting it out there!
3.25.2021 – This is weird and I even hesitate to mention it as it's a wee bit embarrassing, but my nipples hurt 50% of the time since 6 days ago. I just had a check up and nothing is wrong with me. I'm just telling you for record-keeping's sake.
10.1.2021 – My ears are ringing.
10.2.2021 – The muscle and body aches were local to the injection site and my neck on the same side as the vaccine. I will say the injection site is 50% more sore than the first 2 vaccines.
10.3.2021 – Clavicle soreness on side of vaccine
10.4.2021 – Strange slightly painful lump near left clavicle
10.5.2021 – Still the slightly painful weird lump near my clavicle.
10.6.2021 – I still have the weird little lump on my clavicle although it is not painful today.
10.7.2021 – The weird bump on my clavicle is almost gone! It's all good.
10.8.2021 – The small lump on my clavicle is almost gone!
4.22.2022 – Tinnitus, which i have had the last couple years but seems loud this afternoon.
4.23.2022 – Warm skin at injection site
4.25.2022 – Still the tinnitus, which I had before, but it seems louder. Thank you and have a lovely day!
4.26.2022 – Still more tinnitus than before vaccine
4.27.2022 – Tinnitus still pretty loud. I had it before, but not this loud.
4.28.2022 – Still louder than usual tinnitus
Irregular breathing, Anaphylaxis treatment and General symptom
12.31.2020 – On day one (yesterday), immediately following the vaccine I had a mild/moderate allergic reaction starting 5 minutes after the injection. My throat was tight, breathing became more laborious (felt like breathing in thick air), skin on the head became tight and hands were clammy. The reaction came in waves. It was not severe in that I didnt require an epipen. I was monitored by the ER for 6 hours after the injection. They gave me an antihistamine cocktail.
1.4.2021 – Weird breathing and heart rate flux. I was driving and started to cough a bit and my breathing became erratic. My heart rate jumped to 140 bpm (according to Fitbit). This was a similar reaction that occured when I first received the vaccine.
1.27.2021 – Mild throat tightness and eye puffiness. Dry mouth
1.28.2021 – Symptoms only lasted through the night. Woke up feeling good.
Postpartum hemorrhage, Affective disorder and Cesarean section
4.6.2021 – delivered baby today via scheduled csection
4.8.2021 – c-section delivery on 4-6-2021
4.9.2021 – recovering from c-section delivery 4/6/2021
4.30.2021 – increased postpartum bleeding
5.1.2021 – increased post partum bleeding
5.20.2021 – sinus drainage, fatigue, sore throat
6.10.2021 – cold - sinus congestion, sore throat, cough
11.7.2021 – depression, extreme moods
11.9.2021 – sore throat
11.10.2021 – sore throat, insomnia
11.12.2021 – insomnia, sore throat
11.26.2021 – bruising at injection site has gotten worse
2.4.2022 – outbreak of herpes in the week following both vaccine and booster PCP visit
Aphasia, Memory impairment and Toothache
3.14.2021 – Prosthetic knee really hurting for no reason. Not sure if it is result of vaccine or not
3.29.2021 – Teeth hurt
4.27.2021 – My lymphedema seems to be acting up in my right arm. It has not had a problem for years, and all of a sudden its starting to ache and swell.
6.30.2021 – Swelling
9.27.2021 – I seem to be having a harder time with my memory than I was previously. I cant seem to formulate words. I dont know if its caused by this or not but its just weird that its just started happening about a month or two ago.
Central venous catheterization, Extremity contracture and Muscle atrophy
3.10.2021 – Major fatigue, to the point that I fell asleep during work a couple times. I doubt that it's due to either my Covid or Tetanus vaccines, though.
3.28.2021 – I think my muscle aches are due to a medication I had to start.
4.12.2021 – Allergic reaction to Gabapentin--rash over much of body. Not vaccine-related.
6.21.2021 – I have been having muscular/neurological issues since mid-March 2021 that my Mayo Clinic doctors cannot figure out. Might be a rxn to anesthesia/meds, but my symptoms are not something they've seen before. I don't know if vaccines also contributed. Home health nurses were coming by to check my PICC line and called regularly regarding the strange symptoms I was having
3.23.2022 – Several months ago my left thumb locked up and two days later the right one did the same. My rheumatologist thinks it was a vaccine reaction. My right shoulder still gives me problems, too. Also, chronic fatigue and brain fog.
11.11.2022 – Unusual muscle weakness. Improves with exercise. After 4th dose, it felt like my left arm muscles (where I got the shot) shrunk up so they were tight. Visibly noticeable when I'm lifting weights. Had Covid June 6, 2022.
11.30.2022 – Scratchy throat Mild headache Cognitive problems Periodic muscle atrophy in left arm so I had trouble lifting weights with that arm
Hepatic failure, Cholelithotomy and Septic shock
2.17.2021 – None othan then feeling tired
2.19.2021 – None
3.3.2021 – Not sure if it has anything at all to do with shot, but I have had worsening of swollen feet. Have had swelling from time to time of left foot from a broken tibia and fibula. It always went away by my wearing of compression stockings, but now wont. Visit to my primary doctor
3.10.2021 – I still feel very sleepy and fall asleep frequently.
8.18.2021 – Nothing to do with Covid. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital and ended up in the ICU because I had septic shock because my liver and kidney was shutting down. It ended up that I later had two surgeries. I had 25 gallstones and 30 kidney stones
5.19.2022 – I had a UTI and was taken by ambulance to the hospital where I was for 6 days. I was out of it for about 3 days when I arrived to the hospital.
Cellulitis, Peripheral swelling and Edema peripheral
1.29.2021 – I'm constantly sneezing/runny nose
1.30.2021 – I have a runny/stuffed nose
2.28.2021 – Light headed, dizzy
3.1.2021 – I went to doc for excessive swelling in injection arm. He feels the vax was given more in the fat than the muscle, causing edema & cellulitis. I am taking benedryl, tylenol, ibuprofen.
3.2.2021 – Hoping you got the message about my arm swelling more than just the "covid arm." Doc thinks it was injected into mainly fat instead of muscle.
Frustration tolerance decreased, Blister and Rash pruritic
4.25.2021 – Hives
12.3.2021 – Rash covers body
12.4.2021 – My rash was all over my body. You have to improve this vaccine so there are fewer side effects! I do not get side effects fro flu vaccine, tetanus etc
12.6.2021 – I have not had a fever in 20 years! The 2nd dose and the booster both gave me a fever and I felt miserable please improve this vaccine. I also have had an itchy rash. My husband is an ER nurse and he has me taking ibuprofen and Benadryl or famodtidine to deal with rash and inflammation
10.1.2022 – Started taking advil right away so kept my fever down and pain down. Lymph node by injection swollen and tender
10.2.2022 – Have hives all over my torso
10.3.2022 – This bivariant vaccine has given me ongoing hives and low grade fever. Very frustrating
10.4.2022 – Hives going away. Very itchy
10.5.2022 – Hives are now small little blisters that are itchy
10.7.2022 – Please improve this vaccine. Side effects are really rough!! Does anyone read these notes?
Abdominal distension, Flatulence and Blood pressure increased
5.22.2021 – Cramping, bloated abdomen, increased flatulence
5.25.2021 – Last submission included bloating, cramps in abdomen and lots of flatulence. This week I experienced out of breath feeling in chest.
6.1.2021 – Increased heart rate. Shortness of breath. Increased blood pressure Cardiologist visit
7.27.2021 – Migrating aches and pains, pins and needle feeling. Nerve sensations that move around the body from head to toe. Doctor office visit
Lip blister, Oral mucosal blistering and Oral pain
3.10.2021 – Severe heartburn
3.11.2021 – The roof of my mouth is sore like I just ate a big bowl of Capt. Crunch or something. It started the evening of the shot and now it's the whole roof
3.12.2021 – The roof of my mouth is starting to clear up. At least I can eat now without causing too much pain though it is still sore.
3.15.2021 – The roof of my mouth is kind of clearing up but now my bottom lip is breaking out with little blisters. I've also had a terrible stomach ache today with loose bowels. Don't know if it has anything to do with the vaccine but thought it should be noted
3.16.2021 – Mouth still a bit sore but getting better but now am getting a blister on my bottom lip. Again, I don't know if it has anything to do with getting the vaccine but I didn't have these before and I do now
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