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.
Chest pain, pain in lymph nodes
Chest pain
Chest pain and difficulty breathing
Chest pains Drive through
Yeast Infection (3 days and counting)
Lymphnode pain- under arm where I got shot; chest pains came back; occasional headaches; fatigue
Depression. I still have chest pains, but they are slowly becoming more mild. My period was (abnormally) very heavy and I have Kyleena so I went to my doctor as well.
Sore arm at injection site
Headache likely due to pinched nerve in my neck
In retrospect, severe muscle aches on Saturday evening, the day after my vaccine, may have been side effects. I could not bear weight on my right leg, but no fever. It was much better the next morning.
Mildly sore arm at injection site
Yesterdays fever went up to 100.4 degrees. It was back to normal this morning.
Two days ago I had diarrhea, headache and fatigue for about 24 hours
Extreme vaginal itching, low back and right groin pain that refers down my leg
Cold/allergy/sinus symptoms
Just had arthroscopic hip surgery for FAI, Labral tear and Acetabular Debridement. Physician's office, outpatient surgery
An MRI shows a stress fracture in my hip. Physical therapist and orthopedist were in close communication which spurred the MRI order
Muscle stiffness, low grade fever, joint pain that I don't normally have.
Loss of taste, like oragel was in my tongue.
No taste as if my tongue had oragel on it. And my smell is changing also.
Joint pain increased and tongue still numb. Interventional pain management
Full joint pain, similar to inflammatory arthritis, fatigue Primary and pain management doctor
Thunder clap migraine's, nerve degeneration, bone degeneration, memory lapses, arthritis pain in all joints. Surgical Center
Breathing cinstricted and ear pain
Pain expanding fron neck/shoulder on Mon to scapula arm socket annd especially left chest muscles today. Any movement lifting change of position or touching is painful. Chest expansion to breathe hurts. Tried to get appt but no availability. Sent to urgent care which refused to see me saying it could be vaccine/neurological. They said go to ER which I didnt have money for so I am at home taking ibuprofen. Prior to Monday no shoulder chest
Random unaccountable pains...left ear/skull and upper right leg .
Depression/anxiety
Urinary track infection.
Intestinal discomfort
Had headache, body ache, chills, and fatigue the first day after my second shot
Started with slight sore throat followed by sinus cold. Was super stuffy for one day. Was less stuffy for couple other days. No fever and no other symptoms.
Has fever of 100.5 and headache the first morning after my covid booster. Also had pain and swelling in arm by injection. Had body aches too. The second morning all were gone.
Spouse was covid positive
Heart palpitations
Irritable
I use oxygen and seem to have some congestion and pain in my lungs. Have a runny nose. Weather is cold and snowing, which could cause symptoms.
I had a bad headache last Saturday and noticed blurred vision. Havent had any more headaches, but still notice blurred vision when I am outside in the sunlight. I have had retinal surgery and cataract surgery. Im still looking forward to my second shot.
Skin is painful to touch. Heart rate in 100-115 range. Snapping sensation in head.
Swelling and redness around injection site is less, however the original swelling and redness looked like the map of South America! The bottom part of swelling and redness has migrated down my arm. Still glad that I got the vaccinations.
Have had a stiff neck for 3 days. Probably has nothing to do with the shot ...old age, freezing and snow, drop in barometer aggravates old people! I have helped an older friend sign up for appointments twice. She has canceled both appointments. She says she cant find anyone to take her to appointment. I called transportation company in California who transports patients. They wanted $75.00 plus $3.50 per mile. Frustrating!
Left leg swelling, stiffness, pain. Lower back pain. SOB. Kidney issues. GFR on 11/17/2020 was 64. GFR on 3/1/2021 was 37.3. Night sweating.
Mild nerve pain and tingling
Tremors (mild, happens often after vaccine)
Mild finger tremors (normal after vaccine)
Mild finger tingling
Appetite loss, numbness and tingling in arms and fingers, inner ear, jaw and mouth tenderness
Migraines
All over pain, muscles and joints. Shoulders and hips particularly. Numbness and tingling in hands. Seems like inflammatory/autoimmune.
Strong muscle cramps around rib cage - upper back and torso. Overall muscle weakness.
Sinus pain
Not new but previously ascribed to yard work: arms hurting esp at night (like after prev vaccines). Am following PT prescribed previously to regain strength and range of motion and reduce pain. Expect it will also simply reduce over time.
Hands pained and weakened - about three days. After, arm and shoulder pain (which occurred after each vaccine) improved.
tachycardia
Tachycardia
Dizziness
Dizziness, numbness, burning sensation
Dizziness, tachycardia, burning sensation, numbness
Hives, moderate dizziness
Moderate dizziness, burning sensations & numbness
Dizziness, burning sensation
Fatigue, weakness, chills, high blood pressure, dizziness, fever, body aches
Severe fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, chills, dizziness, near syncope
Abdominal pain, possible ulcer, hemorrhagic ovarian cyst, enlarged lymph nodes
Anemia, neurological issues, vision changes
I experienced pretty severe soreness in my arm (the same one where I received the shot) for about 3-4 days last week. I probably just slept wrong or something, but since I don't know for sure what caused it, I figured I should mention it.
Began experiencing itchy throat on the morning of 12/22. Chills and very rapid heart rate the night of 12/22. Runny nose and congestion started on 12/23 and has continued to today (1/3). Positive COVID rapid test on 12/26 and positive PCR on 12/30.
Back of head neck area pain
a short (5 seconds) dizzy spell
I felt feverish yesterday, but my temperature was 97.8. On Sunday I didnt fill out this form, as the side effects kept me focused on resting. When I woke this morning, all side effects were gone. I had one hour of depression on Sunday, which dissipated as if the depression switch was turned off. Today Im experiencing an unusual pleasant nostalgia for the 70s and have been watching Neal Simon, Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase movies to satisfy that nostalgic craving for the 70s.
Mild Numbness in my fingers
My fingers are very sensitive to hot and cold and pain.
Mild Rashes on both hands for a couple of days.
Chest discomfort for a few hours yesterday morning.
Lymph node swelling on both side of the neck. And rashes on both hands and arms and legs.
Abdominal irritation
I took allergy pills to prevent rashes.
Back pain and pain on my side of the abdomen
Mild Nose bleed and almost fainting episode.
My stomach is sore but I'm not sure it's related to covid vacc.
Severe headache for 3 days. I had to take some pain medication to rid of headache.
Tingling in the arm where I receive my vaccine. About 10 minutes later I have radiating cramps in my stomach. I am five months pregnant.
Extreme fatigue, very lethargic.
Cramps radiating over my belly
Difficulty breathing, lightheaded.
decrease in appetite. I dont feel like eating.
Decrease in appetite.
Decrease in appetite
Decrease in appetite, acne started on face. Have not had this in past
Decreased appetite, acne
2 menstrual cycles in one month. Longer heavier.
My contact dermatitis has gotten worse
Cold sweat
Red eyes
Runny nose, head congestion, sore throat
Respiratory issues. Hard to breathe
I felt achy and sore with headaches and overall bad for a few days during second week post vaccination
Tired. Fatigued. Cold sweats.
Feel like I have a chronic cold, achy and weak
I seem to catch many colds. My immunity seems weak. Im weak and sick a lot. I just dont feel the same.
Achy muscles, headache, weak muscles and respiratory difficulties
A really bad cold or flu. Wasn't sure what it was. I did not know if it is Covid either.
Back and stomach feel hot but no fever
When I woke up I was wheezing
Chest feels a little scratchy, back pains. Ive experienced a lot of belching.
I had heart palpitations from 3/30 after first shot but didnt think it had anything to do with vaccine. I had doctor check my thyroid and they were normal. He put me back on Propanol 10 mg, Ill see cardiology Tuesday.
Extra and fast heartbeats.
Asthma attacks
A rash on just the top of both arms that burns and itch. 2nd visit to Primary Care doctor
Loss of hair, dermatologist stated yeast is on my scalp. Also, horrible shoulder had to get a injection in the shoulder.Being treated for Vitamin D defincey.
Surgery for traumatic Labreal tear in the right shoulder. Hoarseness for 5 week and respiratory problems. Asthma and left ear infection.
Felt extremely faint about 30 min after getting shot. Could barely get out of car. Through my things on floor. Couldnt manage to get undressed Chills. Slept for about 5 hours then felt ok.
Triggered pleurisy in my COPD lungs
Apparent Lung Cancer have biopsy next week
Severe flu-like symptoms continued for two weeks after each of the two injections.
I may never get another COVID vaccine/booster because they make me to ill for too long.
just fatigue
Unwell feeling, slightly faint, heart palpitations
Occasional heart palpitations
Heart palpitations
Leg pain
Leg pain, unable to sleep
Extremely sore throat and extreme fatigue.
Arm muscle pain near injection site.
Bouts of pain in arm muscle near injection site, that side of my neck, and chest. I also havent menstruated since the vaccine.
Muscle pain, chronic headache, heart palpitations
High blood pressure, chest pain, rapid heart beating, shortness of breath.
My Muscular Dystrophy has made some quad contracture
My Adult onset Muscular Dystrophy has intermittent aches and contracting of muscles
The muscle aches are from overdoing activities along with my adult onset Muscular Dystrophy diagnosis at 50
I have Muscular Dystrophy and it could be the activities in the new snow. XC skied w
Resting and recovery day after a 50 hour active week. My Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy slows me down
My Muscular Dystrophy affects joints most days also
Had a stroke Sunday and monday A stroke
Dizziness, nauseous, completely discombobulated but i did have a stroke june 6 and 7th
I believe my issues are do the my stroke i had after my vaccine, new sun allergy, nauseous a lot confusion, weak on left side and exhausted all of the time. Did the vaccine cause my stroke?
Left arm extremely sore again
My hands are peeling and painful
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis GP, Rheumatologist and Dermatologists
Cough..very sore throat..not feeling the greatest
Continual cough..since day two after my injection..sore throat .sore chest and head ache and plugged ears also since day two....can't sleep...keep waking to cough and gag....so not feeling very good at all
My cough seemed to have gotten worse..and I deffinately feel worse...so yesterday I went into urgent care and got diagnosed with bronchitis....so got antibiotics and other meds...maybe feeling a bit better today
Metallic taste at the back of my tongue and in my throat
Metallic taste in my mouth and sweaty/clammy
Achy joints
Aching joints and tiredness
Armpit pain
Under arm hurts a lot
For the past 2 days I have not been able to focus or concentrate on tasks and thats not normal for me
I cant seem to shake the Tiredness
Pain in the back of my right leg near the back of my knee.
Pain in my calf muscle and behind my knee in my right leg
Bone pain. Heavy feeling in legs. Very cold and then night sweats.
I have no idea if this is connected tobthe vaccine, but I've had a major decrease in vision in at least one eye since at least Thursday. I do have keratoconus but my vision had been stable for a while. It's hard to see and drive but I didn't realize I could report it here. I see my corneal doctor in 2 weeks.
Continuing to have a decrease in vision since vaccine. May be a fluke due to corneal disease.
Corneal edema.
I still have corneal edema in my right eye but am not sure if it is just a fluke. My eye doctors are unsure and I am still on medications.
Corneal edema from 1st vaccine in eye with keratoconus. Now cornea has thinned a lot in a couple weeks and will need a transplant. My corneal specialist suspects inflammation from vaccine caused the sudden thinning. Corneal specialist, 2nd visit, established patient due to keratoconus.
I've had sinus psin/pressure and woke up with a severe headache. Not normal for me in the fall with low pollen.
Just a note that I get migraines and headaches from my neck, so my headaches are responding to Imitrex, etc. It is unusual that Ive had so many since the vaccine, though.
Red spot is still noted 8 days after vaccine
Large red area on arm that started out measuring 2x2 and doubled in size to 4x4 1/2 by day 11. It was very red, hot, and itchy. It also hurt. Had to seek medical advice, and go to Urgent Care.
Joint pain and muscle aches the day after vaccine. Large red area measuring 4 1/2 In diameter at site of vaccine immediately followed the day after vaccine was given. The redness included pain, swelling, hot to touch and was very red for 5 days. It continues to itch.
Dizzy
Pain in heart & headaches
Cold & coughing
This time pain to all cover my body. Worst were Joint pains on legs & lower my back.
Have Migraine Headache & leg Joint pain.
Leg's muscle that above knee are hurting. Had pain heart muscle, lower back pain. Left with leg pain now. Are they moving? Period will be 3-4 weeks.
Neck, arm & leg are hurting & minor migraine headache are coming out.
I had feeling of catching cold in deep nose & throat.
I developed an itchy rash on my left arm 2 days after my booster, not at the injection site. This was in addition to body aches and fever. It's now on both arms. On the 22nd I tested positive for Covid and still tested positive on Dec 29th.
The rash on my arms continues to be very itchy, I have some bumps, red patches, the skin is sometimes hot. I got my booster on Dec 17 so it's lasted a while.
My arms and legs continued to have an itchy rash. In person dr visit
Slight bruise on injection site
Just a small bruise on injection site
Still light bruising at the injection site. Fading now.
Restless legs, joint and muscle pain is only in hips and legs. Light swelling of ankles. May not be vaccine related.
Shortness of breath and Red spot located in front of arm and itches. Not where I got the shot but like it moved down my arm and to the right. About the size of a silver dollar.
Changes in menstrual cycles. Cycles further apart and lighter bleeding. More frequent mild headaches.
Had Bronchitis, ear infections and sinus infections that lasted the entire month of November and antibiotics were not helpful.
Vertigo Regular Doctor visit
My peripheral neuropathy has gotten worse. No explanation i can think of. Increased burning, shocks in feet and cramps in foot to calf
Calf is still sore.. But it was a pretty severe cramp. Neuropathy better but I increased my gabapentin.
In general I just have'nt felt well since having both shots. Increased fatigue & any s x I had before just all seem worse. I just never feel well anymore. visit to pcp
Day two I had flu like symptoms. Day 4,today, I had swelling redness and diarrhea.
I have two small hives each one centimeters in diameter on my injection site forearm. Im treating it with corticosteroids
It's been five hours since I got the vaccine and I just started to feel slight malaise
No
I had no adverse reaction to the vaccine.
Bronchitis for over 3 weeks. Antibiotics did not help. Prednisone and inhaler helped but I still have a slight cough. Office visit
In the first 24 hours after the second shot, I had chills and my body was very tired. The arm was tender at the injection site.
Light headed
Headache, diarrhea, nausea for about four days.
Pulmonary Hypertension Paracardem inflammation
Two times in the hospital Pulmonary Hypertension Inflammation in Pericardium Asthma
Hospital surgical
Short of breath Fluid retention Elevated B/P
Hospitalized with fluid around my lungs. Also, pneumonia
Hospitalized four times after the second booster! Sick for 3 months. I developed pericarditis two days after the shot. All three of the doctors I had said it was more than likely caused by the shot. I still take a lot of meds because of it.
Sharp pain on left side of head. A bit dizzy
Runny nose sore throat
Not sure if relatednto vaccine. Did develop cold sore on lips the day after and still have many on the lips and chin.
Left knee is in pain. Swollen behind knee.
Severe lower bck pain that wont go away
Tinnitus....very loud. Makes me dizzy and nauseous.
Covid positive on Jan.4, 2022, headache, burning sore throat, fatigue, low grade fever, severe ear achess
Resting heart rate (75) higher than normal (65) and HR spikes to 120s when moving around doing regular household activities like loading dishwasher.
Swollen lymph node on the injection side
Shortness of breath when moving around
Short of breath after walking for 1mi, swollen lymph note under arm on the shot side
Shortness of breath after exercising, really low exercise stamina compared to baseline level
Increased resting heart rate by 20bpm
Allergic reaction 12+ hours after the shot
