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.
Ear congestion
Pain under arm where injected , ear congestion
Swollen lymph node under arm. And Inconsistent tingling /numbness in both arms
Occasionally my arm hurts at the injection sites with radiating intermittent pain.
Ringing in my ears
Swollen lymph node under injection arm
Pain under arm / swollen lymph nodes, / ringing in ears
Swollen lymph node
Taste is different, feels like skin is crawling
Ringing in ears / ear congestion
Back pain, some pain in my hip. Not abnormal, Ive had these issues in the past, but it usually builds. Its okay today but was fairly significant for a couple of days.
Slight headaches, more like a pulse with low level pain for a few seconds and then it passes. One day I think I experienced 6 or 7. Its completely random, and I dont have a history of headaches.
Allergies maybe? Nothing significant, but some sinus congestion
Had a head cold. Was tested and covid negative.
After my vaccine I had pain under my right arm by my breast. The end of the week I had pain in my chest and back. Dry cough and drainage going to my chest. Zpak prescribed and felt better but still drainage. Now Im still fighting the congestio
I started coughing last night(dry) but may be allergies
I have seen my physician yesterday. Cough since over 3 months . I have soreness on my right side of my breast/chest. I have also been getting red spots that itch. They come and go, but just on my right arm where I got my vaccination. Office visit in person
I just keep getting these red patches that itch, on my head. The rash on my arms finally went away. I had to use an over the counter anti fungal cream. My hair is falling out a lot , also, but overall I feel great.
A couple days ago I did have a moment of dizziness that passed, the bicep on my vaccinated arm suddenly briefly ached but it passed, and I woke up in the night with my lungs feeling like I was breathing ice cold air (I wasnt) it eased and I fell back to sleep and was fine in the morning. None of that has reoccurred.
Occasionally have ringing in my ears. Comes and goes. Annoying not painful
Tinnitus is back. I never had it until I was fully COVID-19 vax'd, then it started. It was almost gone and unnoticeable but now it's back. Sounds like a growing volume of cicadas.
Tinnitus continues
Tinnitus ongoing. Consider it that way until I say otherwise. It lasted for several months after the second dose before eventually fading out
Tinnitus remains since largely fading after #2 but returning with #3 and staying
Tinnitus which appears to be my new normal; never had it in my life prior to Covid vax #2, and then on
No change
Tinnitus getting louder
Generalized relief and recurring fantasies about eating in a restaurant again
18 hours post-injection I felt very thirsty so I got out of bed and went to the refrigerator to get cold water. Was suddenly struck by intense feeling of fever, nausea, and dizziness. I leaned on a ledge and next thing I knew I was on the floor
I have preexisting back and shoulder issues that account for at least part of the aches and pains; these seem somewhat aggravated but it's impossible to tell if the vaccine is linked to that.
Back pain not Covid-related
I believe (b)(6) has the flu. She has nasal congestion, fever, cough and nausea. I gave her a home covid test and it came back negative.
Xena has been sick for about a week & half. Fever as high as 103.4. Negative strep test. Negative flu test. Negative covid test. Dr decided to treat her for pneumonia starting on Tuesday. Yesterday (Saturday) was her 1st fever free day.
Today she is having vomiting and low grade fever. She has been mildly sick every couple weeks for the last few months.
Very mild nausea and headache that comes and goes.
Tenderness in lymph nodes of arm of injection site.
Mild tenderness in lymph nodes on side of injection.
Some sinus drainage and dry cough. Not sure if this is seasonal allergy issues or not. Continue to wear a mask in public due to my age and living with daughter who has Sjogren's Syndrome.
Headache
AV Wenkebach Block, partial not complete Follow up tests
Developed a cold sore overnight.
Sinus drainage, scratchy throat
Myasthenia gravis symptoms a little flared but I am due for ivig
Afib episode possibly related to yesterdays IVIG
Mildly Increased myasthenia gravis symptoms of proximal and bulbar muscle weakness, and ptosis and double vision
Myasthenia gravis flare requiring major prednisone increase. Generalized weakness. Improving on prednisone.
Open laparotomy to reverse colostomy, repair peristomal hernia, and create ileostomy 7/29, followed by myasthenia gravis crisis. Hospitalized 9 days. Complete surgical wound dehiscence of midline wound 8/13, readmitted for 4 days. Now have wound VAC
Sinus Infection. Painfully swollen hand.
Myasthenia Gravis flare
Low-grade fever, flatulence
Itchy forearms
Breast tenderness that i thought was from new calcium-phosphorus-magnesium supplement, but there is an article that says, after a vaccine, like the COVID-19 vaccine, lymph nodes under the arm can become swollen. Also had mild itching @inj site
May be unrelated to vaccination, but experiencing possibly piriformis syndrome or sciatica pain (never had before)
Discomfort under armpit of arm that was injectedlymph nodes???
Still occasional discomfort in armpit of inject arm
Just the same occasional discomfort in armpit of arm that was injected (where milk ducts are, but last time i nursed was 18.5 years ago!!)
Still discomfort in armpit of injected arm
Still the same occasional discomfort in that armpit
Still having issues with armpit of vaccinated arm 3 months after booster!!
Armpit lymphadenopathy subsided after 4 months but reappeared 3 days ago. Not good! Going to see doctor in 3 days Will be going in-person for visit
Still have discomfort in axillary of vaccinated arm. Office visit in person
Might be dimisished sense of smell. Couldn't smell when i had covid (1st half of Nov), thought it had gotten somewhat better by about Christmas.
Cough, tight breath Asking when can go to wrk after fever. And if I had any restrictions to getting second shot.
Coughing, tightness in chest (took inhaler & Guaifenesin)
Slight cough & chest tightness
Cough, tight chest
Coughing, tight chest, 5am sweat thru bed clothes
Coughing, slight tight chest
Coughing, slighty tight chest
Coughing
I had terrible body aches the day after my second shot. Also, my Covid Arm is getting worse everyday and only happened after my second shot.
My Covid Arm rash continues to grow and is still itchy. It is no longer hot to the touch though like it was for the first 3 days after injection.
My rash is almost gone! It spread again, but is less intense and not as red or itchy.
Colon cancer diagnosis and surgery
Tooth pain and vivid dreams and chest congestion
I feel like this feeling like food is stuck in my throat ... I had a sore throat for week after the shot n as that cleared up I started to get this feeling when I eat that food is stuck
Ever since I got the vaccine my throat has not been the same ... sometimes I feel like food is still there and sometimes it get this sore swollen feeling randomly
My throat still feels like food gets caught in it when I swallow ever since i received the vaccine
Throat still feels like food gets stuck in it while eating - never had before vaccine
My throat since receiving vaccine has felt swollen and sensation of a lump in throat
Severe flu-like symptoms & he couldn't smell or taste for 14 days. He got tested it came back negative but the doctor believed that was false because of how sick we were.
My son had COVID in August. He could not smell or taste, he was having hot and cold flashes, his hear was not good & he was very weak. That happened for 2 wks and a half. & today which is December 3rd he has a sore throat a cough and stuffy nose.
Spacey and a bit of tension in the neck
Ive felt a bit giddy and was cold last night. But not a big deal . The headache could be seasonal allergies . As been a little spacie
Tingling sensations in my body
My mouth has a metallic taste
Nightmares last night
Ringing in ears
Ear ringing intense visual dreams
Vivid dreams and night sweat at 4 AM
This headache could allergy related as my eyes have started itch.
More oral herpes. Not sure if its related or not.
I believe it is all allergy related. Sore thoat, itchy eyes and sneezing.
Mild case of COVID Omicron starting 12-29-21. Almost had a sore throat but gargled with salt water. Some sinus congestion. No headache or fever. Quarantined for 2 weeks (worked from home). Notified EVERYONE.
The day after my 2nd booster shot (Phizer, 4-9-22) I experienced what felt like a 6- hour flu. Hot body, very cold hands & feet, headache, aching joints. I went to bed for a bit, & later took a couple Alieve (naproxen). Better in the evening.
Weekend headache, but I was having those long before COVID-19.
Rash on left cheek still present
Rash still present on left cheek
Injection site is still very sore. Wakes me up quite often when I roll to that side. Also I can not raise left arm above shoulder height without discomfort and often without pain.
Left arm injection site is still sore: not able to raise arm and wake up multiple times nightly when roll onto that arm
Has continued to enlarge since first appeared
Finger joints on left hand slightly sore. Injection was to left arm. Right hand is unaffected.
Sunday was much worse. Pain limited use of my left arm, and I had general aching. Today it is just the arm and my use of it is not limited.
This is probably unrelated but my cornea was scratched due to an accumulation of dried eye productions that functioned like sand to damage the eye. This happened once before, before I had received any inoculation for COVID.
The rash was very light red on my arms and legs. It was hard to distinguish from mere flushing, but it was not normal. It went away in a few hours. Hardly any itching.
The rash once again comes and goes and is just a slight redness in mostly forearms and lower legs. Skin feels subtly different but there is no pain or itching.
Meibomian gland dysfunction affecting eyelids and related chelazion.
Woke up with what I believe could be tinnitus in my left and I can't hear out of it and had cricket sounds this morning.
Tinnitus is better today, but still not fully hearing as I should.
Ear is getting clearer
Ear is better today
Ear is even better today.
Ear is now good
A little light headedness
After my shot, my armpit ached for a few days, then my arm near my pit had gotten sore, I thought I must had done something to it. But it's still going on, but getting better, just thought I should mention it. Otherwise all is good.
Not the armpit but my left underarm still sore at times. Sort of feels like I lifted too much weight
Its but new but it is continuing. My armpit is still swollen from my second vaccination, its been 12 weeks since my vaccination. Going to the doctor today. Already had a mammo and it came out ok. Whats next i dont know. Mammogram and doctor appt today.
Diagnosed with covid 10/2/2021. Still experiencing no taste or smell.
Deviated septum
Shortness of breath and dizziness Covid test scheduled for tomorrow at employee health
Severe shortness of breath and chest pain
I have been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast. I am otherwise healthy.
I had a severe episode of vertigo on Friday 10/8/21. I went to the ER and was diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, presumed to be from vestibular neuritis. I had a head MRI which was negative. I was given a dose of meclizine and discharged home.
I got Covid in January 2022
Very very dizzy
Dizziness, rash behind ears and continues around neck, this happened after first infection and is still there. Wont go away not sure if this is from the shots but ive had allergy patch tests and no one can figure whst else it might be, so it may be the vaccine
Dizziness
I had a EKG for some chest pains that I've had for years. Before my vaccine, but the EKG said I had abnormal one so that wasn't explained to me but I have to go to also have a stress test. Don't think these things have anything in common but mentione
Covid arm for a couple of days and eczema flare up that was worse than normal
Delayed period with longer premenstrual symptoms, specifically migraine and eczema flare up in ears with pressure. These are common for me during my period but much more intense than usual. Migraine lasted almost 2 days rather than half a day.
Bad period with severe cramps, changed cycle, more headaches and pain than usual during period.
Constipation
High white count. (22) hemoglobin 10.3
Pneumonia
2nd hip displacement since June 10th. Will have 2nd hip repair surgery 8/17
RA symptoms
RA
Exhaustion
Lung infection
I have been having a problem with digestion. I feel nauseous half of the day. Because of this I put off Getting my next injection. And my flu shot. However I did get the flu shot this past week and did not have a very good reaction to it. I have had many tests prescribed by doctors to discover what my problem is
Swollen lymphnods
Swollen lymph nodes
Dizziness
Joint pain in shoulder and elbow on the arm that I received my vaccination. I have to take advil or Aleve. As soon as it wears off pain returns. Unable to raise arm at times because of pain.
Persistent shoulder pain at vaccination site. I believe it is SIRVA due to injection being too high on the shoulder. Symptoms have been, limited arm mobility, weakness in arm, and persistent pain u responsive to any NSAID'S. Office visit - primary care
Just a tickle in my throat
Just a scratchy throat and not sure if it is vaccine related.
I continue to have a scratchy throat and have experienced joint pain. I dont know if its vaccine-related but I have an unused mail in Covid test kit that I am going to use just to see.
I have numb and aching left hand and fingers and joint pain. Hand particularly painful at night.
Diagnosed with bilateral carpel tunnel and Polymyostitis. No previous symptoms. Started in mid April was immobile, weak and fatigue with pain : shooting, tingling, throbbing and aching. Have had bloodwork and imaging studies that were baffling. Imaging and bloodwork, acupuncture
Added vertigo and another flare of diagnosed Polymyositis conditions, trouble using hands and stiff feet. The bilateral carpal tunnel is being addressed with two carpal tunnel endoscopic surgeries. Trying to find right meds to treat conditions. Endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery for left hand done March 4, right hand endoscopic carpal tunnel set for April 1.
I became extremely tired starting the evening of March 17 which lasted until the morning of March 20. The worst day of feeling extremely tired was March 18. I started feeling better March 21 and much better today. I was able to care for myself.
Pain throughout my thighs and legs. This pain was more enhanced than normal nerve or arthritis pain. However theres no swelling and I was able to take a 20 minute walk today without significant pain.
I am tired a lot. Take me at least 30 minutes to get moving upon waking in the morning. Have challenge taking long walks without stopping to rest. This isnt the norm for me. Normally walk a mile or two at least 2-3 times a week.
Became extremely tired and irritable Symptoms lasted for 3 days
Aches were bad enough that i didn't sleep well, and moved more deliberately than usual. More annoying than painful. 2/10 on the pain scale.
Not bad. Slept 11 hours last night. Felt much better today. Joints and muscles still ache, but much better.
Not sure if this is a result of the vaccine. Couldn't sleep last night, currently have some minor joint and muscle pain.
Swollen lymph nodes and coughing
None so far. Literally just got the shot. Currently undergoing 15 minute observation.
Lethargic, but could also be the cold weather and snow.
The day after the vaccine, I was getting periodic random nerve pain, that pulsed, in different spots around my body: my hip, my elbow, my wrist. It was so painful I couldn't do anything but say ow and close my eyes for 20 seconds while they were happening. They lessened in frequency every day after that, from around 6 to only 1. Today I got only one, in my hip. But the pulsing pain is still severe. Never felt anything like it before.
Fever, body pain, headache
I have had Myasthenia Gravis for a few years. Symptoms had remitted to my new baseline prior to this dose. I am having a mild return of MG symptoms but tolerable without treatment so far. Mild intermittent dizziness also this morning that has resolved.
Mild ptosis early morning lasting approx 10min which resolved without need for medication. History of Myasthenia Gravis
Alternating chills and sweats throughout last night but no fever. Myasthenia Gravis symptoms have returned but may be unrelated to the vaccine.
Flare of pre-existing Myasthenia Gravis...increased ptosis, fatigue, slurred speech
Hypersensitivity reactions to a variety of stimuli not previously allergic to including skin reactions to adhesives, hives & wheezing with no known trigger, severe reaction to plasmapheresis (unresponsive, foaming at mouth, loss of bowels), MG flare Hospital admission and transfer to larger facility by ambulance
Mild increased Myasthenia Gravis symptoms
Hives on right upper chest not related to exposure to known allergen. No changes to soaps, detergents or clothing
Mild Myasthenia Gravis flare
Diagnosed with Autoimmune Urticaria and Sjogrens
Extreme fatigue, sinus swelling
Weakness
Lots of severe headaches, but we moved to Florida: severe atmospheric pressure changes almost everyday.
Nasal congestion and dry cough. Might be allergies, we're in Florida, Fall starts late here!
My fibromyalgia got worse. My arthritis never hurt before now it limits my walking. sick in bed w severe malaise, runny nose, sinus congestion, exhaustion for 4 weeks! Took Covid home test every week, all negative. No fever, but sweating.
Fibromyalgia flareups got worse
I experienced dizziness this morning but seems to have gone away.
Bruising at the site of injection that just appeared yesterday.
Extreme fatigue. I'll feel good in the morning but by the afternoon I am so fatigued I can't function. Some days I think I am better but than the fatigue returns
Recurring UTI which occured after my two covid shots. It is not normal for me at all to have a UTI let alone one that won't go away.
