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.
Injection site bruising, Sinus congestion and Injection site pain
3.7.2021 – I wouldnt call it pain at the injection sight- more like tender but still a 2/10 with 10 being the worst.
3.28.2021 – Bruising at injection site. From day one but didnt take off bandaid until after my second check in.
9.24.2021 – Sinus congestion, slight cough towards the end of it. Caught from nephew- tested negative for covid, sister caught it as well and tested negative for covid. They saw separate Medical providers and both said it was something going around.
Balance disorder, Lethargy and Decreased appetite
1.7.2021 – Mild - A little soreness in the arm muscle down to and including the elbow joint of the injection.
1.12.2021 – Mild Stuffy nose
1.22.2021 – Diarrhea approximately one day after last check in. Very soft stool approximately 48 hours ago. Both were mild only occurring once.
2.11.2021 – Loss of appetite every day since injection and persistent cough for a few hours
2.13.2021 – Loss of appetite - mild
2.14.2021 – Still not much of an appetite - mild
5.10.2021 – I am quite certain all of my recent symptoms were related to my first dose of the shingle shot. The symptoms were similar to the Covid vaccine, cold, lethargic, mild body aches. They lasted 24-48 hours and then faded away over the next 24-48 hours.
8.9.2021 – Had both Shingles vaccines and had as bad of a reaction to the 2nd Shingles shot as I did with the 2nd Covid shot.
2.8.2022 – Dizzy and loss of balance Family doctor in person
Respiratory tract irritation, Laryngitis and Wheezing
3.15.2021 – Dizzy
3.16.2021 – A little dizzy at times
3.27.2021 – Horrible back pain between my shoulders. Lungs feel raw. Very weak feeling. Just feel crappy. Can't sleep.
4.10.2021 – To soon ,just had shot
4.11.2021 – Lungs feel raw like if you cough too hard for too long
4.13.2021 – Wheezing chest still feels raw like when I breathe in deep but it could be just allergies this time of year
5.8.2021 – My ear was plugged and ringing. No pain. I went to the doctor he looked in my ear and said he didn't see anything and it was clear.
11.19.2021 – Chest pain
11.28.2021 – My chest feels a little heavy I've had a few palpitations at night
5.22.2022 – Very sick since April 2nd, different symptoms at different times in the beginning headache throw up, in the end chest gasping for air laryngitis. Finally 2 months later I'm feeling better. Took 4or different rounds of antibiotics and prednisone
Blood pressure systolic increased, Heart rate increased and COVID-19
4.2.2021 – Mild asthma like symptoms
5.13.2021 – Dizziness, rapid heart rate. Systolic blood pressure very high at walk in clinic yesterday. Have a follow-up appt with Dr on 5/19/21.
9.30.2021 – Was fully vaccinated and got a horrible case of covid after I went to get my hair cut on Sept 9, 2021 and hairdresser coughed in my face unmasked while washing my hair. Still doing several carside evaluations to get O2 saturations and cough meds and steroids.
Injection site paresthesia, Oral herpes and Tenderness
1.24.2021 – Tingling in injection site arm, pain into my armpit, chills, weakness
1.26.2021 – Cold sores inside my mouth, in my throat, on my lip, tenderness in my armpit
1.27.2021 – Still with cold sores in my mouth and throat
1.28.2021 – My regular long haulers symptoms have returned
2.25.2021 – My long covid symptoms have resurfaced back to like they were before the vaccine, but that is usual for me since Ive been a long hauler for 7 months now
2.26.2021 – No symptoms related to the vaccine, but I am still experiencing all of my long covid symptoms
Hangover, Prostate cancer and Erythema
3.18.2021 – Injection site reminds me of abee sting with tiny spot of redness, soreness, slight itching
3.19.2021 – Less pain in arm muscle today than yesterday
3.20.2021 – Pain and redness improved since yesterday. Pretty normal for me when getting vaccinations
3.31.2021 – On day 10 after first Moderna shot redness and slight itching at injection site which is slowly going away as of day 14
4.15.2021 – Feels like a mild hangover
4.16.2021 – Injection site pain much less today
4.14.2022 – Prostate cancer diagnosis
10.20.2022 – Allergies with cough, congestion Primary care office visit
Immunodeficiency, Bowel movement irregularity and Heart rate decreased
1.6.2021 – Made my heart beat rapidly for a bit but now it good.
1.8.2021 – I didn't have chills but there was a constant coolness to my body since the shot. I'm normally a heater always warm.
1.9.2021 – Coldness but not chills.
2.5.2021 – Heart pulsing in my ears. Arthritic in my fingers hand and elbiw
2.24.2021 – Servere headache and rapid heart beat and multiple bowel moments without diarrhea
2.5.2022 – I keep going into tachycardia because My arrhythmia has been off ever since I got all the shots. I'm tired all the time and I always feel like I'm coming down with something.
12.18.2022 – Heart beats now drop to 45. I had arrhythmia problem before and now they're worse. I get other sicknesses quicker. It kind of made me immune compromised. And I developed severe anxiety and depression and now I'm medicated. Normal appointment
Restless legs syndrome, Swelling and Back pain
4.5.2021 – Nothing at all since getting the vaccine.
4.23.2021 – RLS is pretty bad today. Back pain is worse, but I think its weather related.
5.1.2021 – No
5.2.2021 – They moved from mild to moderate late afternoon yesterday.
5.5.2021 – I think Im passed all of it.
5.6.2021 – Back to normal.
5.19.2022 – With the first booster I had redness, muscle aches, swelling, itching and pain, but it wasn't noticeable until 24 to 36 hours after the shot. For the one I got yesterday, it hasn't been 24 hours.
5.20.2022 – The swelling yesterday was more like half a golf ball. This evening it's gone down considerably. I have always had an overactive immune system. When I get an insect bite, I suffer for days. The only childhood disease I had was measles.
5.22.2022 – I heard that people who had the Asian Flu in 1957 might have some immunity from Covid. This was at the beginning of the pandemic and I never heard, or read anything else. Where do I find out, since I had it in 1957.
5.25.2022 – How do I ask a question???
Throat tightness, Burning sensation and Influenza like illness
1.26.2021 – Slight tightening of throat
1.27.2021 – The abdominal discomfort feels like pressure not pain and my chest feels tight - chills and head ache are on again off again all day body aches consistent feels like a flu bug but with knee - hip- shoulder joint pain - sore throat
1.29.2021 – Sore throat - cough
1.30.2021 – Sore throat
2.18.2021 – Sometime i feel a gentle burning sensation Im my lungs and have mild head aches - I feel like I occasionally get mild symptoms similar to those that I experienced the day after the vaccine
1.28.2022 – Sore throat- head ache - fatigue
Respiratory rate increased, Respiratory disorder and Gastroenteritis viral
3.4.2021 – Within minutes of receiving the vaccine, my heart started racing, my breathing was heavt, my hands were shaking, and I was hot. (But the room was warm.) This is the same reaction I have when I get a Novocain shot at the dentist. The workers gave me water, a snack, and an ice pack, and the reactiin went away in about 15-20 minutes, as it does at the dentist. I felt fine when I left
3.25.2021 – I had only a tiny reaction immediately after the injection. Forst time was rather intense but this was nit.
3.27.2021 – Swollen lymph node on left collarbone and in left armpit
3.29.2021 – Lymph nodes in armpit have gone down. The one on the collarbone is still inflamed but is much improved
3.30.2021 – Lymph node on collarbone still swollen but is shrinking
3.31.2021 – Swollen lymph node on collarbone is almost back to normal
3.28.2022 – Stomach bug, severe flu-like respiratory illness, allergies, sinus infection
Uterine cancer, Skin discoloration and Peripheral coldness
2.16.2021 – My left hand turned a light shade if purple yesterday about 8 hrs post shot. My right hand did not. I noticed it lasted about 5 minutes. I had received the shot in my left arm. No pain but it looked wierd, almost scary. This had never happened before .
11.30.2021 – Tired and feet were cold. Nice weather outside.
12.7.2021 – I had 3 cold sores on my lip. I have never had more than one at a time before. I seldom get any. They are gone now.
5.17.2022 – Uterine cancer
Oral pain, Migraine and Oropharyngeal pain
2.7.2021 – Headache
2.14.2021 – Woke one morning with a sore throat. May have been sinus issues because the symptoms were gone by noon. Also, had a migraine, which I have a history of. I have not received a call for my second vaccination.
2.21.2021 – 2 migraines, but I have a history of migraines.
3.4.2021 – I do not feel the headache is related to the vaccine.
5.29.2021 – More frequent migraines
12.16.2021 – Sore on the roof of my mouth.
9.17.2022 – I neglected to do my check in yesterday. I did have a migraine yesterday. Today I am fine.
Nightmare, Abnormal dreams and Insomnia
8.31.2021 – Vivid nightmares
9.2.2021 – Lack of sleep due to nightmares. I have PTSD and nightmares are vivid which is causing lack of sleep
9.3.2021 – Sleeplessness due to vivid nightmares
9.4.2021 – Nightmares caused by PTSD I take a medication to stop them and it doesn't work after the shot they lasted for two weeks after the first shot and came back after the second shot causing me to get no sleep.
9.27.2021 – Still having vivid nightmares but not as often now they were every night for about the first three weeks they have tapered off now to every couple of nights I will have them.
Rash vesicular, Rash pruritic and Gastrointestinal disorder
2.2.2021 – I have a rash made of small raised blisters (similar to a sunburn) across my back/shoulders. It just occurred to me that this rash appeared shortly after my first shot. It was very itchy for about a week, and now is painful.
5.15.2021 – I had severe diarrhea for two weeks. I tested negative for COVID as well as viral and bacterial GI infection. Primary care visit
8.12.2021 – Recurrent GI distress that does not respond to OTC treatment. My GP was unable to identify a viral/bacterial infection, or indications of underlying issue.
Fibromyalgia, Arthritis and Upper-airway cough syndrome
2.18.2021 – Fatigue, head congestion, post nasal drip and just want to sleep all the time, which is pretty much all Ive done.
2.25.2021 – Head congestion, headaches, fatigue, want to constantly sleep. I want to cancel my 2nd injection.
3.4.2021 – I have Fibromyalgia, and Arthritis so its hard to tell If Covid vaccine is causing it to be worse or just bad fibromyalgia day. Pain is much worse tonight.
3.5.2021 – My normal temp is 97.2 so 99.8 is high for me. I saw doctor today. I had routine appt already scheduled with my doctor today.
Conjunctival hemorrhage, Renal pain and Wheezing
12.27.2020 – Stuffy nose
12.28.2020 – Nasal Congestion
1.29.2021 – Kidney/ left flank pain
2.15.2021 – Bilateral Subconjunctival Hemorrhage
9.30.2021 – Nasal congestion
10.3.2021 – Nasal congestion; Swelling and tenderness in left axilla (same arm as injection site)
10.4.2021 – Nasal congestion; Swelling and tenderness to left axilla that have been present since vaccination but did not think to document until yesterday.
12.29.2021 – Headache Myalgia Chest tightness and pain Fatigue Congestion Low grade temperature Wheezing Awaiting a call from NP at Employee Health now.
Ear pruritus, Disturbance in attention and Edema peripheral
4.1.2021 – Fog brain, kind of spacey, somewhat difficult to concentrate
4.2.2021 – Very little pain at injection site (only when I really move that arm). Still slightly foggy in the head, but mild - maybe 1/4 of yesterday
4.24.2022 – Random, deep itching - not normal skin itching. Pops up in various places (ears, feet, shoulders, back of knees) at random times. Swelling under the armpit of the vaccinated arm, is slowly going down. Not sure any of this is related.
Hemorrhage, Poor quality sleep and Head discomfort
1.13.2021 – (b)(6) Clinic
1.27.2021 – Taste buds is declining. I can't taste my food
2.3.2021 – Hoarseness and tired and bleeding problems Patient portal
3.23.2021 – Numbness in hands, nauseous, blurry vision, stomach pain.
3.30.2021 – Stomach pain, shortness of breath, runny nose, mucus in chest. Swelling of the legs and feet.
4.8.2021 – Mental cloudiness, achiness in the joints, headache that will not go away with Tylenol, runny nose, shortness of breath with minimal movement. Pain in the shoulders and neck. Head feels heavy.
6.1.2021 – Numbness in my hands and legs, headaches, body limpness,
3.2.2022 – Headaches, stuffy nose, Flemmy. Aches and pain.
7.7.2022 – Nose stays stuffy and taste bud changed. I use a C pap machine and can't sleep well at all. I have slight headaches. More UTI's than normal and not ble to clear it with the normal antibiotics.
Ovarian cancer, Pneumonia and Body temperature increased
3.29.2021 – Chills yesterday after the check in for one hour or so. Temp just under 100, but dropped again after an hour or so.
4.10.2021 – Muscle aches and really sleepy during the day.
4.17.2021 – I had vaccine aftereffects like low grade fever, chills and body aches that started about Day 12 after 2nd shot and lasted til Day 16 or 17. My temp hit 100.5 the last day of that and after that I was fine. I could work, but fell asleep a few times.
6.26.2021 – Ovarian cancer
3.2.2022 – Pneumonia, but not COVID pneumonia. Don't know how, but definitely not COVID.
12.1.2022 – COVID. Tested positive yesterday.
Cataract, Adverse drug reaction and Transient ischemic attack
2.18.2021 – Facial itching, rapid heart rate, short of breath
2.20.2021 – Runny nose, sneezing, congestion
2.21.2021 – Runny nose, congested
3.11.2021 – Racing heart, face red, flushed and itchy
3.12.2021 – Dizziness
3.17.2021 – Runny nose
4.1.2021 – Severe migraines
9.20.2021 – Congestion, severe fatigue, muscle aches, mild cough, ear ache, sore throat
10.4.2021 – Stomach cramping, diarrhea and yeast infection
10.11.2021 – Severe daily migraines
11.29.2021 – Severe fatigue, daily migraines
3.15.2022 – Severe widespread itching, severe nausea and severe migraine
3.27.2022 – Daily severe nausea
4.17.2022 – Lower leg cramping
6.12.2022 – Severe vertigo with nausea and vomiting that lasted 4 hours 1 day
9.11.2022 – Severe vertigo and balance issues
10.19.2022 – Severe headache, joint and muscle pains, vertigo and dizziness
10.21.2022 – Severe muscle aches and pains, severe fatigue, nausea and dizziness
10.28.2022 – Had the flu last week. Had adverse reactions to cortisone injections even though I've been getting cortisone injections for many years without problems.
11.4.2022 – Being checked for chiari malformation
11.11.2022 – Increase in migraines Brain MRI which was normal
12.30.2022 – Vertigo, cataracts
Limb injury, Rotator cuff syndrome and Loss of personal independence in daily activities
4.7.2021 – Any symptoms have all been mild so far... one Tylenol for headache....took a nap... so all is good so far
4.9.2021 – None happily!
4.10.2021 – Thanks for making this easy
4.13.2021 – Just heard about the blood clots. But no symptoms at all today
4.27.2021 – I dont know that this is vaccine related... but my right arm... the one I got the shot in... I reached high to a shelf and pulled a muscle or tore the rotator cuff possibly. Waiting to see a doctor. Awaiting in person visit
7.6.2021 – I have had a small rotator cuff / arm injury on my vaccinated arm. Just fyi. I dont think its relatedi had hyper extended at the grocery store to reach an item. Arm has ached since 23 may.after initially feeling fine.
1.24.2022 – This got mostly better by end of day
1.25.2022 – Shortness of breathall symptoms are mostly mild somewhat alters activity at home
1.27.2022 – My fatigue while slowing me down, has not prevented necessary activity
Conjunctivitis, Paranasal sinus discomfort and Bronchitis
9.28.2021 – Left supraclavicular lymph node swelling and pain
9.29.2021 – Left supraclavicular lymph node swelling and pain (better than yesterday)
10.1.2021 – Left supraclavicular lymph node swelling (mild)
10.17.2021 – Sinus infection - sinus pressure, sneezing, brain fog, fatigue, loss of smell and appetite
12.26.2021 – Bronchitis - negative COVID tests x2
9.26.2022 – COVID symptoms 8.26.22 - dry cough, conjunctivitis, slight runny nose, headache. Treated with Paxlovid, positive 12 days.
Respiratory syncytial virus infection, Aphonia and Gastroenteritis viral
5.27.2021 – I lost my voice a month ago, and it hasnt come back very much at all. It may very well be allergies.
2.25.2022 – I have Covid. My symptoms are: high fever, deep horrible body aches, extremity pain, deep wracking phlegmmy cough, loss of taste and smell
6.15.2022 – I got Covid.
12.15.2022 – I have had Covid 2x and RSV, and a stomach bug. After not being sick very often for years. I am a service worker and I am exposed to the public in big ways.
Limb discomfort, Somnolence and Dysgeusia
2.2.2021 – For about 24 hours, I had chills, aches, and pain where shot was given. Went to bed under the covers and slept off and on, and felt better the next day.
2.16.2021 – The same day I got the shot I started feeling really bad. Fatigue,shivering,chills, headache, arm and neck pain. A few days later, I had a couple of days where everything I ate or drank was terribly salty. Tried ice cream and I hate to say it, I couldnt eat it. None of the symptoms have come back.
Dehydration, Influenza like illness and Sinus congestion
3.28.2021 – Sore throat
3.29.2021 – Head in a fog, or a daze
4.23.2021 – Fogginess/cloudy headed
4.25.2021 – Cough (may be allergies)
4.27.2021 – Sinus congestion
4.28.2021 – May be connected to menstrual cycle
5.28.2021 – A little feverish, but nothing extreme. I have not taken a temperature.
1.12.2022 – Very swollen Lymph Node on the injection side.
1.14.2022 – Swollen lymph node. But it has decreased.
1.17.2022 – Mild swelling of lymph node on injection side
7.11.2022 – Normal flu-like symptoms. For the past few days. Likely not related to vaccine at all. Sore throat, insatiable dehydration, congestion, muscle&joint soreness.
Dementia, Speech disorder and Agitation
3.5.2021 – Ted has dementia which has been considerably worse: needs a walker now (not before), cannot talk intelligibly, not understand what he hears or sees.
4.1.2021 – (Speaking for my husband who has Alzheimer's) My husband cognitive decline has increased markedly in this past week. This will be reported to his neurologist in his regular follow-up check-up.
4.8.2021 – Ted had Alzheimer's dementia. He has become more agitated. I don't ascribe this new development to the vaccine.
Post herpetic neuralgia, Gout and Herpes zoster
2.15.2021 – My back pain transition to just the right side of my lower back and I developed a rash around my midsection. I contact my Dr and I have been diagnosed with Shingles.
2.22.2021 – Pain from shingles (which started 4 days after COVID Vaccine) has increased. Had to increase my Gabapentin dose to 1800mg per day
3.5.2021 – Bad day suffering through PHN from Shingles
3.6.2021 – PHN pain from shingles
3.7.2021 – Pain from PHN due to Shingles
3.9.2021 – Pain from Shingles PHN
3.10.2021 – Paint from shingles PHN
3.31.2021 – PHN from shingles
3.7.2022 – Gout flareups
Psoriasis, Alopecia and Joint swelling
2.5.2021 – Metallic taste, racing heart
2.7.2021 – Eye pain
2.26.2021 – Joint swelling has worsened in my left hand to the degree that I can no longer wear my wedding ring. I also continue to have pain in the lymph nodes near the injection site.
3.12.2021 – Severe joint swelling with pain. I had to have my wedding rings cut off my hand in the Emergency Room. I have also had flare ups of psoriasis.
2.5.2022 – COVID-19 infection, diagnosed 1/26/22.
4.29.2022 – Swollen joints/joint pain, hair loss
Neuropathy peripheral, Abdominal pain and Hypoesthesia
1.1.2021 – Tingling in toes, intermittent
1.6.2021 – Numbness or tingling in feet on and off since vaccine.
1.13.2021 – Body and joint aches, fatigue, feeling of weakness
1.21.2021 – Numbness in feet and hands on and off. Joint pain. Fatigue. Noticed reoccurrence of pain at site of shot.
1.27.2021 – Light headed- mild
1.28.2021 – Dizziness
1.31.2021 – Tingling numb toes on and off since first vaccine dose
2.3.2021 – Numbness in toes on and off since first shot.
2.10.2021 – Intermittent Numbness in feet and toes. Increased pain and aches in joints
2.24.2021 – Fatigue, achy , joint pain, abdominal pain, malaise.
3.10.2021 – Continued numbness in toes. Tire easily.
4.28.2021 – Continued neuropathy in toes Scheduled with primary care
Pain in extremity and Fatigue
4.7.2021 – The soreness and fatigue existed before I got vaxxed.
4.16.2021 – What I'm experiencing is normal for me and most definitely not related to the vaccine.
4.29.2021 – None of the symptoms I'm experiencing today are related to the vaccine, but rather my everyday, normal issues. Aside from the arm pain that is.
4.30.2021 – Just my normal issues, nothing related to Covid
5.1.2021 – Just my normal crap that's totally unrelated to the vaccine
5.2.2021 – Just my normal ones
5.3.2021 – Just my normal, daily crap
5.4.2021 – Just the usual bs for me
5.5.2021 – Just my normal shite
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