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.
2.7.2021 – I did not report yesterday (24 hours after my shot) since I didnt receive a link from Vsafe. However, I would like to report my symptoms. Fever and aches started approximately 12 hours after vaccination. Fever rose to 100.7 and lasted for about 18 hours. Same with the tiredness and aches. I noticed a 3inch red rash with swelling and tenderness around the vaccine site approximately 36 hours after vaccination.
4.7.2021 – Last night, my arm hurt so bad, I could barely lift it. I also had some soreness in my armpit. Also, I forgot to mention it yesterday, but I had a metallic taste in my throat about 5 minutes after getting the shot yesterday.
4.11.2021 – Pain in armpit of arm where I got shot (possible swollen lymph node)
4.12.2021 – Sore armpit on side where injection was
4.13.2021 – Slight armpit soreness
5.4.2021 – Armpit soreness
5.6.2021 – Random nerve pains in various places throughout the day. Yesterday it was repeating nerve pain in my right ankle. This afternoon it was my pressure and pain in my chins and right wrist and nerve pain in my lower abdomen..
5.8.2021 – Sore armpit
11.2.2021 – Shooting chest pain - ER visit determined it to be possibly caused by an existing GI issue - heart was fine according to bloodwork, Ekg, and chest xray. I have a follow up with a GI doctor scheduled.
12.9.2021 – The soles of my feet are super achy, just like yesterday.
12.10.2021 – Tingling on the soles of my feet and random nerve pain in my foot, leg, and hip at various times through the day. Also, my legs randomly felt like they were walking through water throughout the day.
12.11.2021 – I am still having the same random tingling/nerve pain that also sometimes feels itchy all over various parts of my body. It feels like surface peripheral nerves (nothing deep). My legs also still feel as if they are walking through water on and off. I made an appt with my primary care doctor, but couldn't get in until Monday afternoon..
12.12.2021 – I am still getting the random nerve pain/itch in various parts of my body, and had a shooting pain in my chin this morning. My legs felt like walking through water this morning, but are better this afternoon. My doctor's appt is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.
12.13.2021 – Still having random zaps of nerve pain/itch, but it seems to be a little better today. I had an appt with my primary care doctor today to discuss the nerve zaps I have been getting. She ordered some blood tests.
12.14.2021 – Still getting random nerve pain zaps. They were better this morning, but got worse as the day went on. I will be going on Thursday to get my blood tests done as ordered by my doctor. I am under care of a doctor for the nerve pain and will be getting blood tests done on Thursday.
1.19.2022 – Scratchy throat, fatigue
6.7.2022 – Diarrhea and bloating
12.7.2022 – Viral infection in early November - unknown virus
3.20.2021 – Current unilateral axillary lymphadenopathy, swelling, & tenderness same side as vaccination injection - initially mild w/ onset hours after injection. Of note, on date received injection had several sharp stabbing intermittent pains of left/mid sternum & right hip an hour after vaccination lasting seconds at a time, resolved post vaccination day #2
4.2.2021 – Mild Shortness of breath, mild chest pain, heart rate >100bpm while walking, nasal congestion, sore throat.
4.10.2021 – Intermittent chest pain, sharp stabbing, squeezing, intermittent. Worse with laying down, palpitations, elevated BP. Awaiting appointment, called triage RN at night, almost went to ED x 2 but decided not to
4.24.2021 – Left axillary lymph swelling same arm of injection, breast pain and lymph swelling of left breast
1.21.2021 – Cold symptoms: runny nose, congestion, cough
1.22.2021 – A tiny bit of runny nose
2.13.2021 – I did have flt like symptoms the day after my 2nd dose of the Pfizer vaccine
2.15.2021 – I did have symptoms the day after my 2nd Pfizer vaccine (#2 given 2-8-21). I did not get the symptom checker until 4 days later.
8.9.2021 – Had a couple days of feeling not quite normal. Almost like a cold was coming on, but never materialized. I felt feverish, but had a normal temperature. Developed a weird phlegm that stayed in the back of my throat. I felt very strange!
1.4.2021 – Some soreness at the injection site.
1.5.2021 – Arm where I got the injection is sore. Arm felt fatigued and noticed it yesterday evening. This morning still the same. Took Tylenol and that seemed to help.
1.6.2021 – Arm was sore yesterday but still slightly sore. Much better today.
2.2.2021 – Just a slight headache and arm is sore at the injection site.
2.3.2021 – Arm is just sore and feels heavy. Its not really pain.
2.4.2021 – Arm still sore at the injection site. Still have a slight headache.
2.5.2021 – Arm still sore but better than yesterday.
10.2.2022 – Arm slightly sore where I got the booster shot.
10.5.2022 – Felt lightheaded:
3.9.2021 – On the 8th day after my vaccine dose #1my neck, chest area and face became red and I had some itching. My chest area, neck and face(mainly cheeks) turned bright red and those areas were hot spots. I had no rash or bumps. I saw a doctor last Saturday and she put me on a steroid cream to put on all red areas. It looked much better upon waking this morning and no redness, however in the afternoon my cheeks turned red again. The doctor state
3.12.2021 – On the 8th day after my first shot I had a red neck like a bad sunburn and big red spots on my face and a few smaller ones. I ended up going to urgent care and was prescribed a steroid cream to heal them. Talked to PC dr.today and he okd me for 2n
3.21.2021 – No
4.4.2021 – Had hot spots break out on my face and front of neck was completely solid red and itched at times. Same thing that happened after my first shot. Was prescribed a steroid cream for both times.
3.26.2021 – New joint pain that wasn't there prior to the vaccine. Muscle pain and cramping severely worsening after vaccine. Increase in migraines and migraine severity to everyday since the vaccine.
4.15.2021 – A raised rash that is pussy at the injection site. Rash first noticed 14 days after vaccine. I am currently taking Doxycycline for a infected arm as a result of my second vaccine shot.
4.29.2021 – My rash that is infected around the injection site won't entirely clear up after the full course of antibiotic treatments. The part of the rash that remains may be some kind of permanent scarring.
2.10.2021 – Though not serious, my left arm, where I received the first shot on January 18, is still occasionally sore.
2.17.2021 – Burning skin
2.19.2021 – I dont actually have fatigue but I had to check it to tell you about tenderness. Tenderness at the injection site that kasts for several weeks
3.5.2021 – The spot on my arm where I got the shot hurt last night. I got the second Moderna shot Feb 12.
3.12.2021 – The spit on my left arm where I received the injections aches off and on. It aches enough that I notice it but it does not impair my movement. It was aching yesterday and today.
3.19.2021 – From time to time my arm hurts where I received the 2 shots.
8.14.2021 – I do not think it is related to covid or the vaccine. I am so glad I am vaccinated. I pulled a ligament and now have a small tumor in the muscle in my thigh. I visited doctors offices. As I wrote, it is not covid related.
2.25.2021 – I little tired but I believe it is relief from mild stress of weeks of wanting a vaccine
2.26.2021 – Arm muscle very minor soreness at injection
3.16.2021 – A slight scratchy throat but not painful
3.18.2021 – Difficult breathing asthma like symptoms that wont go away today
3.19.2021 – Asthmatic symptoms when I havent had asthma since. Childhood
3.20.2021 – Asthmatic symptoms that required a first prescription for enhaler but better today than last two days Appt with family physician on the morning of March 19
3.1.2021 – I am a kidney transplant recipient and I got a horrible bruise at the injection on my arm. Please note I received my shot feb 24 and I am much better today which is 6 days out
3.3.2021 – I have a very bad bruise where the injection is. I believe the nurse that administered it didnt give the shot correctly and caused this bruise I have
10.17.2022 – Believe I had a fever in the early morning hours, woke up in a sweat but fine now
5.5.2021 – My arm around the injection site turned very red and swelled up, becomong hot to the touch (though it has since gone down over the following week and is now mostly fine). I was informed I had a mild case of COVID arm.
5.20.2021 – Excessive sweating
5.21.2021 – Random pins and needles feeling in arms and legs
1.3.2022 – Slight metallic taste in the back of the mouth when eating
1.4.2022 – Mild metallic taste in back of mouth
1.5.2022 – Sudden start of a light period about a week and a half early
1.6.2022 – Early onset of period (1-2 weeks early)
1.7.2022 – Early period continues but appears to be letting up
1.8.2022 – Very end of the out of cycle period mentioned previously
12.13.2022 – Mild spotting like the beginnings of menstruation despite it being the wrong time for it
12.14.2022 – I have had mild cramps and a period that started last night even though it is not due for at least another 10 days.
12.15.2022 – General discomfort from having a heavy period suddenly start when it wasn't supposed to
12.16.2022 – The out of turn period continues, but it feels less uncomfortable and more like a regular period now (though flow is still heavier than normal)
12.30.2022 – Basically the time for my actual period rolled around and the bleeding is way heavier than usual, having followed the out of cycle period right after the vaccine.
4.9.2021 – Dizziness and nausea
4.16.2021 – Felt dizzy and have elevated heart rate since a week after first shot
4.17.2021 – Some dizziness
4.19.2021 – Ive had elevated heart rate and blood pressure
4.20.2021 – Ringing in my left ear and elevated heart rate and blood pressure
4.21.2021 – Elevated heart rate and blood pressure along with some dizziness / vertigo
4.22.2021 – Lightheaded / dizzy, increased heart rate and blood pressure from my normal
4.25.2021 – Dizziness, elevated heart rate and blood pressure
3.3.2021 – Tenderness at site of injection.
3.16.2021 – Cough and cold symptoms. No feverMay be allergies.
3.23.2021 – I fell in the between the bed and bathroom door and my foot was caught in the door I did not remember getting out of bed or falling. Do not think it was related to the vaccine
3.30.2021 – I am in the hospital fractured L12 compression from a fall. Also diagnosed with campylobacter colitis. Do not think this is at all related to vaccine
1.29.2021 – I have MS, Systemic Sleraderma, and Neuro Cardiogenic Syncope. Also I have a Rituxan infusion every 6 months. I was due to have my infusion February 18th but I am delaying it till two weeks after second vaccine per advice of doctor
2.15.2022 – No
2.17.2022 – I have been having sinus headaches. Don't know if related to anyrhing
8.12.2022 – Tested positive for covid yesterda 102 temperature Bad cough Torltallyvwiped out Called ms specialist an got paxlovid
8.18.2022 – Got covid the 11th Energy and appetite are coming back but bad cough isn't any better
8.25.2022 – Spiked another fever and goat s a vheAdcold on top of the constant cough Got a second dos of paxlovid and a Zee Pam yesterday and the day prior
1.24.2021 – Tingling tongue EMT
1.25.2021 – Mild numbness on my lips
1.26.2021 – Numbness on tip of tongue lips nose up to forehead. Took Benadryl and Pepcid and less numbness. FYI I have trigeminal neuralgia .. the discomfort Im experiencing isnt shooting pains rather than numbness like when Novocain wears off. Top of head is chilled as well. Pretty strange feeling
1.27.2021 – Numbness on lips nose and forehead. I have trigeminal neuralgia... this isnt the same type of issue but I believe the vaccine has aggravated my nerves.
1.28.2021 – Numbness on lips and nose. Less than yesterday
1.29.2021 – Numbness on top of tongue my lips, nose straight up to top of head. Today I called to report to Pfizer and spoke with a nurse and Steve in development. Also my PCP. I cant live on Benadryl and Pepcid. If the numbness bows to clear up soon Im going to need to make a decision about second dose. (b)(6)
1.30.2021 – Numbness on lips nose top of tongue and forehead.
1.31.2021 – Numbness lips nose Pressure in head Numbness equivalent to wearing off of Novocain... this isnt clearing up. I have reported this to Pfizer my pcp and neuro consult. Taking Benadryl daily makes me drowsy and limits me from my daily activities.
2.28.2021 – Nerve issues left side of face and head
3.28.2021 – Body inflammation... new symptom Dr visit and labs
4.5.2021 – Rash PCP office visit
2.22.2022 – Swelling on my left side Setting up appointment with PCP to see why my entire left leg is swelling. Very uncomfortable
3.30.2021 – Ive been feeling like something crawling on me-specifically on my face.
4.26.2021 – Nasal congestion, coughing, sneezing, 99.7 temp
5.14.2021 – Cough
5.29.2021 – Bronchitis, sinus infection, diarrhea
6.12.2021 – Diarrhea
6.19.2021 – Diarrhea, stomach discomfort
12.4.2021 – Numbness and pain in right hand
12.5.2021 – Mild Numbness in right hand
6.5.2022 – Bad sounding cough with low grade fever- took Coricidin felt better but cough seems to come & go. No more fever & I feel better now no change in taste.
12.3.2022 – Left hip/leg pain, difficulty swallowing pills Physical therapy services, pending swallow study
4.7.2021 – Very lethargic in the afternoons, around 2-3 pm, for few hours. Super low energy until I have caffeine, or a sugar snack.
4.22.2021 – Tinnitus
4.23.2021 – Tinnitus, extreme lethargy
4.25.2021 – Tinnitus and lethargy
4.26.2021 – Tinnitus: one testicle is lower than the other 2.
4.27.2021 – Chest pain and severe fatigue, shortness of breath
5.5.2021 – Diarrhea, to the point of ibs
5.19.2021 – Fatigue, all the time.I.B.S,
5.26.2021 – Severe fatigue
7.21.2021 – Lethargy,Chest painsAches and pains in bones
10.23.2021 – Extreme pain in shoulder where I received the injections. Has worsened over the past month.
11.13.2021 – I tested positive on a fecal occult test, no history of ulcer or
11.20.2021 – Hematoschezia
11.27.2021 – Hematoschezia, to the point of concern. I have abdominal pain, and blood in my stool.
12.4.2021 – Hematoschezia, abdominal pain and tenderness, goiter like swelling above my collar bones
4.18.2022 – Testicular cysts
4.28.2022 – Heart palpitations
5.3.2022 – The testicular cysts are quite painful, I have seen a specialist, surgery is scheduled
9.27.2022 – Finally diagnosed with a hernia. Having heart palpitations ever since my Covid infection
4.9.2021 – Feel like I am coming down with something. Hoping it is just allergies as the pollen is bad. Have not felt right since the 2nd vaccine. Second guessing if I should have taken it.
4.12.2021 – Primary Care Physician
7.6.2021 – Lots of allergy symptoms.
4.6.2022 – Came down with shingles. I have done much research on vaccine and shingles and see that an alarming number of people have come down with shingles after the vaccine. Not enough studies have been done on the vaccine. Definitely no booster for me. Phone call
5.20.2021 – SUCH A BAD RASH AND I CAN'T GET MY CORTISONE SHOT AND MY ARMS STILL SORE WAS A 8 OUTTA 10 THE EVENING OF AND 2 DAYS AFTER I SLEUTHING THE WHOLE DAY AFTER had I know that I could not get my quarter zone shot for another month or so until after my 2nd dose which is like ended June I would have planned ahead and went ahead and got it 1st I think this is something that's very important to not only me but other people are highly sensitive skin X most rises in stone and it's something that we need to make sure we are all aware of I had no idea But I do appreciate it was free thank you
1.19.2021 – Today my throat were a bit swollen, it bothered when passing saliva or liquids. But very mild
2.25.2021 – I realized that my left leg was painful on and off, I got my shot on the left arm. Today, now that my muscle aches are mild I still have the same painful process with the left leg. It feels heavier than the right leg.
3.9.2021 – My sinus was inflamed 7 days after vaccine injection. I had headache and facial pain on and off and it was hard to breath during sleep time. Not sure if related, it has been resolved by now.
1.22.2021 – All symptoms listed were worse on 1/20. I'm on antihistamines chronically for allergies and have been using ibuprofen on and off this week for menstrual cramps
2.11.2021 – Enlarged lymph nodes, one in neck amd other in axillary closet to arm wjere injection was given
1.5.2022 – Development of sore throat and body aches , awaiting test results to see if COVID-19 was contracted from a confirmed positive family member in the last week
8.20.2021 – Arm I received injection in has been tingling
8.21.2021 – About 2 hrs after the injection, I had itchiness all over my body for a couple of hours
9.3.2021 – Yesterday (9/2/21) I was very fatigued & had a really bad headache that would feel sharp at times. I stayed at work but I really didnt want to.
9.18.2021 – Occasional dizziness, ear ache
9.19.2021 – Occasionally lightheaded or dizzy.
9.20.2021 – Arm in which I received the injection continues to have sensations of numbness or tingling, especially after the injection site feels itchy. I can feel it move down my arm, or partway up my neck. Visited workplace nurse to get hydrocortisone cream
10.31.2021 – Ocasional sensation of rapid heartbeat. I haven't told my doctor because he's overloaded and the other symptoms I've had, I'm just told "well it's still better than having Covid. The benefits outweigh the risks."
3.18.2022 – Increased heart palpitations and high diastolic blood pressure. Now on prescription heart medication.
5.6.2021 – Havent been able to really sleep since dose two. Might be whats causing the fatigue. Not sure of any relation
7.29.2021 – I feel like I get coldness/numbness in my hands easier. Not sure if its carpal tunnel or vaccine related. But for a good week my hands would go numb constantly. In recent weeks the numbness has subsided but jot the coldness
4.29.2022 – Nerve pain in left arm that impacts my left pinky finger. Pinched ulnar nerve from working out that just does not heal.
3.24.2021 – Metallic taste since mid afternoon. Phone call from doctor
3.25.2021 – Runny nose, nasal drainage
3.26.2021 – Runny nose; chest congestion. Both resolved in am.
3.29.2021 – Rested on purpose but no energy
4.5.2021 – Elevated blood pressure Office visit with regular doctor
4.18.2021 – 98.4 is a higher temp for me.
4.20.2021 – Heart palpitations
4.25.2021 – Nausea one time briefly; vertigo 2x
7.18.2021 – Fine, then no energy, then fine, sometimes with a slight stomach pain. Comes and goes every few days.
12.19.2020 – I did develop a high fever (102.8degrees F) around 5 hours after vaccine. At that time I had severe chills, muscle and joint pain, overwhelming fatigue. Symptoms lessened with alleve, but all I could do was sleep.
12.20.2020 – Awoke at 4:30 a.m. with numbness and tingling of my entire right arm that lasted for about 40 minutes then faded. I don't think I was sleeping in an odd position, either. Very bizarre. The knee aches were persistent all day. And I feel more tired than usual.
1.8.2021 – Compared to the very hyper immune response I had after the first vaccine, my response to the second was very mild. After the first I had fever 102.8 and severe chills and impressive joint pain for 2 days afterwards. Only two other coworkers I spoke to had such severe symptoms. The second dose was lower fever 99.9 and mild aches and mild joint pain and did not come in until about 12-14 hours post dose, instead of 5 hours post dose as the first one did.
2.18.2022 – Fever, body aches, scratchy throat, headache, stuffy nose, sneezing, mild cough
1.22.2021 – Symptoms started a few hours after injection Aggravation of sciatic nerve on left leg. A flare up of a previous injury (burning and tingling sensation) Tenderness in left buttock results in shooting pain and numbness down the leg from any applied pressure. (As if nerve was sitting just below surface) Tenderness centralized on glute maximus unable to attend without nerve pain for now than 30 seconds. Which resulted in burning and numbness sensation shoot from glutemead down through calf. Advil / Tylenol not as much help as before. Leg throbs and pain/burning subsides minutes after I lay back down leaving a general achiness behind constantly. Overall hypersensitivity of sciatic nerve, certain positions reduce all pain to dull baseline throbbing but any movement after flares of issue. 30+ hours after sciatica pain reduced to back off knee and glut maximus but still cannot stand pain frees
1.24.2021 – pinched nerve as a result of sciatica flare up.. Will see Dr. Tomorrow to get resolved. Otherwise no symptoms
1.25.2021 – Still have pinched nerve same as before.
1.26.2021 – Still have pinched nerve
1.27.2021 – Still have pinched nerve in back it's probably not Covid related
4.14.2021 – zinging nerve sensations down injection arm. Tingling sensations in both hands and all 10 fingers and lips and tongue. Metallic taste in mouth.
4.16.2021 – numbness and tingling randomly in feet, hands, face, lips, and tongue
4.17.2021 – slight numbness and tingling, mostly face and extremities
4.19.2021 – numbness and tingling still in both hands
4.19.2021 – Just a little bit of tingling and numbness in fingers and right arm (was not my injection arm!)
5.24.2021 – I have just finished an 18 day menstrual cycle, which is waaaaaaayyyyy longer than I ever go! I did not know that was a potential side effect of the vaccine but had heard a few other women and news articles talk about this.
5.24.2021 – For days I have a Pain like in my bone exactly where shot happens. Have an inflammation on the sinus inside my nostrils, that I can see it from outside and so painful that I couldnt touch it. Whole body, low energy....
8.9.2021 – Some type of hives on my legs, like mosquitos bites, but I know for sure, as did not been outside; plus is the same reaction that I have right after the shot. I had to take allergy pills to calm the itch.
3.11.2021 – Soreness at the injection site, similar to the flu shot, for about 36 hours.
3.31.2021 – A lot of soreness at injection site. Woke up in a sweat but no fever.
4.1.2021 – Soreness at injection site (not pain). But it is subsiding.
4.2.2021 – Upper arm soreness near injection site
4.6.2021 – Headache was actually last night. Went to bed early and I was fine this morning.
11.27.2021 – Slight soreness at vaccine injection point
11.28.2021 – Soreness surrounding vaccine injection point
11.30.2021 – Emphasizing: severe diarrhea
12.3.2021 – G.I. system still feels weak 48 hrs after diarrhea but food stays down
12.11.2021 – Pain in neck and shoulder area, goin down left arm a bit. Unsure if this is related to booster vaccine. Seems unlikely because it was 2 weeks ago.
8.12.2022 – Had Covid just before July 4th weekend (2022). Symptoms: slightly phlegmy cough, daily debilitating headaches, severe muscle pain in neck (often shooting pain similar to how shingles feels), loss of appetite, and overall fatigue. Later:conjunctivitis
2.4.2021 – COVID Arm - the area around the injection site is red and warm, approximately 2 x 4 inches that I noticed 3 days ago.
3.10.2021 – Soreness at the 1st dose (Jan 21) injection site left arm recurred this week after no soreness since the week after injection. There is some swelling, mild discomfort, but no fever in it. No soreness at last injection (Feb 24) site right arm.
5.26.2021 – Fever 101.0 lower abdominal pain. Had rapid COVID test - negative. Urinalysis clear.
