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.
Pain in armpit on same arm where vaccine was received
Pain in armpit on same side of body where vaccine was received
Sore armpit, and occasional sharp pain in right eye
Extremely sore arm that is painful to move (same arm where injection was received)
Dizzy
dizzy
Bad asthma
It's taking a lot longer for my period to start. It's at least a week and half late, and there is definitely no chance that I'm pregnant.
sharp pain my toes at night like nerve pain
I still have a stabbing pain in my right foot at night. Okay during the day tho. A little moody at times
Getting chills at night even when the house is comfortable
Experienced an ocular migraine today. The first i have experienced. Symptoms lasted 10 minutes or so during my lunch break.
Extreme dizzy almost blacked out lasted abt. 5 mins on the 9th feb. Still have symptoms but not as severe.
Severe vertigo
Vertigo
Continued lack of energy and vertigo
Breathless at times. Heart has some fluttering. Occasional anxiety.
Lightheaded
Lightheaded, ringing in ears
Skin on upper arm with shot feels burnt
Intense itching around injection site started this morning. A cold sore developed on my lip - never had one before.
Forgot to mention a persistent brain fog that began about 6 hours after getting the shot - it is only just beginning to subside.
All symptoms began around midnight after getting booster. Left arm from shot location to fingertips is tingling. Spine, back of head, ears, and eyelids all throbbing. Dry mouth. All joints are stiff. Very tired.
Whooshing sound in ears, throbbing pain behind eyes
Loud whooshing sound in ears, low blood pressure (measured at er last night/this morning
Runny nose
My face gets red and I get hot. I do not have a fever.
A lot of coughing on Monday. May have been due to pollen. Had some mild pain in my chest yesterday, last night and now. No idea what that is.
Breathing problems that I attribute to the humidity. I have had these symptoms for use in high humidity.
No
Alergies
I lost 30 pounds the first 3 months of this year. After several tests there is no medical reason for this. I have maintained 145 pounds since April.
My thinking process is slower. Some call it having foggy brain.
Left arm hurts injection site. Left axilla is tender.
Left arm still hurts....but better...not as much.
Left arm still hurts
Left arm mild tenderness. Does this Vaccine effect your hearing ? I seem to have lost hearing some tones when people speak.?
Mild pain left arm injection site
My hearing has changed. Some tones are hard to hear.
Body temperature a little high but still normal range
Headache was during the night only
Sore throat and congestion
Head cold, sinus congestion.
Sinus and chest Congestion. Cough.
Chest congestion. Sinus congestion. Cough.
I've noticed my arm where I've had all my covid shots is purple with white blotches. Not sure if it's related.
Purple skin with white blotches on arm shot was administered.
Upper arm where injection was is purple with white blotches. Since first injection
Sore throat. Sinus congestion. Fatigue. Body aches.
Congestion. Sore throat.
Fatigue continues to affect me, overslept for work and appointments
Headaches the last 2 weeks. Headaches are not common for me. Am making appt with my primary.
Ive not been sure where to add a concern. Im on a beta blocker (enhances immune response) & my response to 2nd shot was severe for a few days. I wonder if this has been noted by others to you. Since then I have had a significant increase in PVC Conversation with primary, appt is scheduled
I was diagnosed with a stomach hernia earlier this week. (Epigastric hernia) Primary care visit
Pain in the lower-left chest, just under the rib cage. It doesnt feel like a deep pain; more of a muscle pain. But its not going away. My regular doctor thinks it may be a hernia, but thats not confirmed. Regular doctor visit and consultation
Depression
Some congestion; unusually tired
Cold, fever, congestion for a week.
Had a nasty cold for a couple weeks. Not Covid.
Unusual amount of phlegm. Coughing often, but it's not harsh.
Normal deltoid pain from needle
Nauseated, no appetite, fatigued, and necessary for deep breathing because sometimes I couldn't get enough air. I am ok now and back to feeling great for a 79 year living at high altitudes.
Upset stomach probably not related to injrctiony
Wake up in the morning with dry heaves then the condition goes away and I'm fine. Self test negative.
Probably a TIA. Confusion and. Or knowing where a room was in my daughter's house.
I have an autoimmune disease, and noticed getting extra itchy and having more rashes than normal
Still cant lift my arm up all the way , its painful. Its been over a week .
The arm that I received my shot , I am still not able to lift it up all the way , or when sleeping it hurts to sleep on that side. It almost reminds me of a rotator cuff injury.
My arm that had the shot still hurts when I try and raise my arm all the way up .
The arm / shoulder area that I received my second shot , I still cannot straighten my arm when raising it , taking shirts off and on is still painful. Its been almost two months since my shot and this is still going on
Its been five months since my second vaccination, and I still cant raise my arm, if feels like a torn rotator cuff. This only happened right after my shot was injected, and hasnt gone away . Will this be forever , its horrible
I have had a fever, chills, burning during urination and exhausted for the past 5 days due to a UTI (e coli detected). My doctor does not believe this is associated with my first dose Covid vaccination.
Have been diagnosed with an e Coli infection, which may in part be contributing to fatigue. On second course of antibiotics to treat.
Dizziness but unclear if from vaccine, or antibiotics being taken to get rid of an infection
None
Last night, the chills were so intense that I was shivering and also the diarrhea and the chills kept me awake most of the nights. Today, I've been in bed ALLday long because of the same reasons. Can I get some help?
I would like to report that in addition to the above symptoms I also feel dizzy, light headed and very sleepy. Thank you
Headaches, chills, I had to be treated at the emergency Room at (b)(6) medical Hospital on January 24,2021.
Body aches, chills
Fatigue and some respiratory symptoms are a chronic condition I'm prescribed an inhaler for, so unlikely to be related to the vaccine
Fatigue and respiratory symptoms unlikely to be related to vaccine, but to a chronic condition I'm prescribed an inhaler for
Numbness in left foot, mild dental pain and sensitivity in lower left jaw
Dental sensitivity and pain, probably an aftereffect of dental work
Dental sensitivity and pain, probably related to previous dental work.
Dental pain unrelated to vaccination, chronic respiratory condition unrelated to vaccination or COVID-19
Dental pain and non-COVID respiratory problems unlikely to be related to the vaccine. Dentist appointment
Not at this time
General itching
Itchy
Coughing and runny nose
I feel like I was hit by a Mac truck
My skin hurts
Loss of appetite, pickle taste in mouth for the last four days. I feel like I was hit by a Mac truck then they backed up to make sure they did a good job. Chills were mostly all last night and was very restless and unable to sleep.
Still have pickle taste but not as bad though
Vomiting, diarrhea, extremely tired, cold and clammy.I feel and felt to sick to go to Doctor ER
Depression seems worse
Coughing, runny nose, general aches and pains all over. Started about 3 days ago.
Fever, chills, sore throat
Have a viral infection. Upper respiratory. Dr. Office
Low grade fever, runny nose, stuffy nose, cough general aches.
Swollen glands in back of neck and in my armpit on the same side I got vaccine.
Nope
Loss of taste/smell of most things
I can now taste & smell
If the vaccine does not contain the live covid virus why did I lose. Taste and smell for 48 hours??
Achey shoulders and upper back. Really sore neck. Keep getting lumps that have to be messaged out. It all started after I got my first vaccine and seems to be getting worse
Sinus infection and on antibiotics
High blood pressure
Stiff neck
Double ear infection needed antibiotics. Sinus infection needed antibiotics.
The swelling and pain mentioned are in the armpit, lymph node area of same side as injection.
Still tender in armpit area, same arm as injection site.
Large, red rash on the injection site arm. It has been itchy, raised, warm to the touch and bumpy.
There is pretty extreme swelling around my collar bone, along with a lot of tenderness on the same side of the injection.
Still swelling sand tenderness in collarbone/neck area, same side as injection site.
Nerve misfiring (different uncomfortable sensations throughout body) Also, like on shot #1, the ball of my right foot aches. No swelling or engorged veins in foot lower calf. Last time had to see doctor and he didnt know if my foot pain had any connection to the vaccine. Having the pain start in same time period, I believe the vaccine caused my foot issues.
Injection site still giving me radiating pain with about a 6-7 pain level.
Runny nose
Slight sore throat
Burning sensations in mainly left side of neck and behind left ear. Doctor thinks it might be mild shingles without rash and is treating it as such. My primary physician
Upper right side back pain...could be stress related
Afib 1 night stay in hospital getting heart to normal rhythm
AFib. Anemia
Cough. Harder to breathe. Tired
Severe anemia Outpatient dbl balloon enteroscopy (b)(6)
Overnight, feverish and chills, could not get warm under lots of blankets. Today sleeping a lot.
Stomach virus? (Lots of vomiting - dont know if this has anything to do with Covid vaccine though)Swollen lymph node a doctor said they are seeing this on people who have recently received vaccine.
Enlarged lymph node on right side (same side as COVID19 vaccine)Diagnosed with breast cancer, left side. Treatment under way. Doctor visits
Pain under right arm after getting third COVID shot (I have breast cancer and have been getting chemotherapy). Previously had enlarged lymph node so maybe recurrence. Also felt very bad day after shot, but I had chemo the day before.
Lack of energy and gastric upset.
Sudden hearing loss in left ear. Visit with ear specialist (MD). MRI which turned out normal.
May be caused by food poisoning.
Fever and weakness. No problems breathing. These issues occurred 17 days after my shot and lasted 5 days. I am not sure they are related to the booster shot.
Burst appendix surgery 11/19/2021
Fatigue and cough. Positive COVID test at clinic.
Sharp shooting neck and arm pain (same arm as injection, opposite side of neck)
No Shooting pains today as reported yesterday.
No but I think this survey should ask if people are breastfeeding, which I am.
Shooting pain down my right arm (same arm as injection). Also in my left ankle.
Shooting pain near left clavicle and down left arm (opposite side of vax)
My breastfed baby and I have strange dark markings. Mine on my wrist and hers much larger on her back. It looks like the dark healing of a burn but was never a red burn.
Only 2 hours since shot so far arm feel little muscle pain and might start feeling a little head ache. Nothing bad
Shot area tender. Like a headache wants to start but just kind of hangs there
A little cough. And just tired
Just not normal. Sleep - good - head still seems different not stopping me about but could till something sDifferent
Still a little cold run nose this am. Question how much ? Does one shot make u safe
Still feel some what tired
I still feel tired. Just feels like I have no engery. I understand I 83 yr old but I do better then I been able the last few weeks. I still moving but sitting a lot more since the shot and notice it and do things slower just different since shot
Seems like I run out of air. Then have to sit Have go short distant and in a slower way. Walk spans is shorter as I feel winded
Just a lot more tied and get out of breath sooner then I did before. Still seems I have to take a few more sit down times then I did before the one shot just dont feel normal slow on daily activities
Still have that tired feeling. Only to take one shot
Still get wore out easy. Been the same since the shot
Seems like i had some jitters or shakes early in the day but subsided
Had vision issues where it was recommended that i go top emergency room. All checked out and vision has improved
Still have vision issues
Vision issues
Developed infection in leg for no apparent reason. No trauma. No cuts or bruising. Under antibiotic treatment now. Had for 12 days but our of the country for 10.
Confusion, anxiety, some garbled speech
Trouble sleeping. Still have unexplained swollen left foot
Foot swollen continues for day 22
Continued foot swelling Primary care
Mild coughing, loss of appetite
Bronchitis
Loss of appetite, bronchitis
Mild coughing
Slight mild cough
Occasional fatigue especially when walking or climbing stairs.
Mild congestion & mild general malaise
Recurring headaches, sinus pain, fatigue
Mild cough, sinus pain, light nasal congestion
Mild fatigue beginning yesterday evening through today
Occasionally very fatigued
Occasional shortness of breath, occasional elevated blood pressure and leg pain
Intermittent flu like symptoms that occur monthly and last 3-5 days. Tendonitis
Diminished sense of smell
Sense of smell still almost gone. Brief phone call concerning the loss of smell.
Sense of smell is coming back.
Body aches probably from an ongoing condition. Sense of smell still poor.
Sense of smell still poor.
Its only been 2hours since I got the vaccine. Symptoms may develop.
Joint pains may be partly arthritis.
Minor aching at vaccine site.Slight increase in fatigue.
Very mild: fatigue, muscle aches. Diminished sense of smell. These are symptoms I have occasionally.
Tiredness and problems with sense of smell. At a previously scheduled semiannual checkup, my doctor and I agreed that causes were not related to vaccine or Covid.
They are all connected to conditions Ive had for years. Osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, glaucoma, dental issues. Overall, I feel good, with ups and downs. Tooth extraction
Brain fog
Dizzy if I look up
Dizziness when lying down or getting up. Happened at dentist and occasionally at home since vaccination, briefly.
Dizziness when looking up or when lying down.
Mild dizziness when looking up or lying down
Brain fog, dizziness
A bit of dizziness when lying down
Sciatica
End of January I had digestive tract symptoms, headache, post nasal drip, and other symptoms which my children thought was omicron.
blood pressure of 68/44 that remained low for over an hour. issue resolved in ER, but cause is still unknown
I continue to be fatigued and when I try to increase my activity I feel ill.
I continue to have bouts of fatigue and some neurological symptoms. My Drs at NYU have thought the TIA I had after my first shot was coincidental to the vaccine but they have no real way of knowing for sure.
liver function blood tests are abnormal dr visit in person
Had a weird cough today only for a few minutes. Not sure if it's related but felt i should report since it's not something that is typical for me. .
May nit be related at all. I have fibromyalgia.
Aches may or may not be related to vaccine. I have fibromyalgia
Not sure why so tired but i do have fibromyalgia. Probabky not related to the vaccine.
I dont know if this is related but since the first shot my heart palpitations have gotten worse. I didn't even think about it being related until i relaized ive been mentioing it to my daughter a lot recently. I do have PVCs but they are really disruptive. Just wondering if others have experienced this.
Just the heart palpitations. Not bad today.
Tinnitus??? Did I repirt that before? It has been ongoing but it is much worse and more noticeable since the vaccine.
Nearly passed out twice. Cold sweats.
Underarm soreness and swelling on both sides;
Still sore under the arm where I got the injection. Lymph nodes don't feel swollen, but I assume that is what it is. Not sure how much the joint pain and muscle aches are related to the vaccine. Typical amount for me with arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Lymph nodes still uncomfortable. Muscle and joint pain as typical and probabky nit from the vaccine.
I have a migraine today. May or may not be related but i havent had one in several months.
Have had pain in one eye, shooting towards the back of my head. Also had what i assume may be a cluster headache, one spot on the back of my head, other side from eye pain, about 2 diameter, lasting for about 24 hours. Will be seeing my eye doctor next week.
Really bad joint pain but it is probably not related to the vaccine.
Stuffiness
Stuffiness.
Very dizzy/light headed this morning. Still a bit stuffy
Muscle and joints back to normal pain for me.
Heart palpitations exasperated as with pervious vaccines. Also forgit to mention ringing in ears is worse as before.
Heart palpitations, ringing in ears
Worsening heart palpitations.
Extreme joint and pain pain.
I've been nauseous and have had diarrhea. Testing negative with at home test. Not sure where i would have caught anything because I am basically following 2020 protocals (masking, avoiding crowds, distancing, and pretty much staying home.
I had the bivalent booster Oct 3. Had lymph node swelling under both arms for a few days. Felt pretty bad the next day. Vertigo, nausea and lymph swelling under both arms. Lymph swelling lasted a few days. Swelling today under opposite arm???
Heart ache
Heart palpitations when laying down or bent forwsrs
Went for a jog and triggered 24 hour fever - most likely not related to Vaccine. Been suffering from post viral syndrome since March 2020 from Covid including low tolerance to exercise. Did get retested just in case and was negative.
Nausea, digestion issues, fatigue
High level fatigue for two days
Continue to have chest pain and head pressure from covid infection two years ago - it has slowly reduced - but got flu vaccine and it reactivated symptom intensity similar to covid vaccine - seems to be autoimmune issue or long covid
Menstruatal cycle s symptoms started next day and within 2 days period started and has not stopped
Nausea, headaches
Non stop period!
Cramps in my side under my ribs, thigh, lower leg and feet; all on left side. This caused my sciatic never to flare up and put me on bed rest! Unable to get second shot
Period will not stop for more than 3 days. Still having leg cramps
A upper respiratory infection for 6 weeks
Memory issues. Issues with the typing, grammar and completing thoughts. Vision blurry. Weaker.
