Booster shots - how did yours go?

[Not_a_Number]

9 hours ago, Spryte said:

Update on my potential adverse reaction. 

To recap, after my first Pfizer shot I had significant side effects and felt very flu-ish for around 4 day (or so). On Day 7 I started having right flank pain and ended up hospitalized for 4 days. 2nd shot — not as bad, but I had right flank pain for a good 6 weeks, hospitalized once more. We never linked this to the shot and theorized the reason for hospitalization was from a different med, possibly the pain med they gave me at the first ER trip — ELE from that.

3rd shot — Right flank pain started on Day 7, by Day 10 I was at the ER. Same deal, but this time I refused all pain meds and even ibuprofen.

Specialist now thinks the pain is caused by massive inflammation. 

I have no idea if this is shot related, but the timing is suspicious. It’s essentially the same as the first shot.

So — two more specialists to go and hopefully I’ll have some answers and a plan for next time (if there is one) we need boosters.

With timing like that, I'd be about 99% sure it's a vaccine reaction. 

[Katy]

36 hours after the Moderna booster and I feel better than I did before I had it.  I've been having symptoms of autoimmune stuff brewing again for a few months, not enough to go to my rheumy, but enough to make me feel tired and sore and pay more attention.  I've heard anecdotal stuff about the mRNA shots lowering inflammation and tamping down AI stuff, but I didn't expect to feel this good.

I hope the reports that Moderna is going to combine this shot with an mRNA flu shot in about 18 months are true, I'd be happy to annually trade 30 hours of headache & mild flu symptoms to feel this good all the time.

[teachermom2834]

Dh and I are going on his lunch break today to her Moderna boosters. I was surprised to see they were available because just last week when Dh called Walmart (where we got our original shots) they said they had no idea when or if they’d get the booster dose. Checked the website last night and they have them and we made appointments for today. 
 

A little nervous about us both getting them at the same time in case we have reactions. I had no reactions from my first doses. Dh did fine with his first dose but his second dose knocked him out for two days (and then even though he said he was ok he looked like hell for a couple more days). Post Moderna shot #2 is the sickest I’ve seen Dh in at least a decade. But I guess his memory is short because he signed right up. At the time I remember thinking “never again”.

So we will see how it goes. I hope that the smaller dosage this time means it goes easier. 

[Starr]

I hope it goes well for you!

[Amy in NH]

DH and I got our Pfizer boosters, along with a flu shot in the other arm, on Friday.  None of the shot placements were problematic. 

DH felt a little warm to the touch and slept all day on Saturday, only waking twice to eat (appetite not affected!). He also developed a bright red head and bib rash overnight Saturday and into Sunday, which sometimes happens when he is fighting an actual live virus.  Otherwise, he was back to normal on Sunday.

I had arm pain on Friday night that prevented me from sleeping until I took some Ibuprofen.  On Saturday I felt a little fatigued and a bit achey, but dragged myself around for necessary errands from mid-morning until early afternoon before taking a four-hour nap.  I went to bed at my normal time Saturday night, and woke in the middle of the night feeling feverish and achey; temperature was 99.5.  After taking Ibuprofen I was able to fall asleep again, but half-woke several times in a puddle of sweat - yuck.  Back to normal Sunday.

[Syllieann]

Got my Moderna booster this morning.  My original vaccination was with Pfizer but I wanted by he higher Moderna dose to help protect my kids who are too young to vax.  I had an appointment at Walgreens but when I arrived they told me their policy was to stick with original, so I left and went to CVS.  They had a sign saying "walk-ins welcome," but when I went inside I was told that I needed to schedule online.  They didn't have Wi-Fi or a device available to register myself so I went home and registered from there.  I got an appointment for an hour later and got my Moderna.  No side effects yet and it hurt less than my flu shot, which was kind of a biznitch this year.

I'm really disappointed that I had to jump through so many hoops.  There are just so many people who wouldn't have had the time, resources, or background knowledge to manage that situation to get what they wanted.  Our mass vax places are only doing pfizer, so there really aren't any other options for most people here.

[Corraleno]

New guidelines on boosters say that severely immunocompromised people who got full-strength 3rd shots are also eligible for an additional booster shot 6 months after the 3rd shot.

https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/covid-19-vaccines-us.html#considerations-covid19-vax-booster

[MEmama]

The pharmacy I go to for vaccines only has the Moderna booster, but both my other shots were Pfizer. Idk why I’m feeling hesitant to switch it up.
 

I’m totally open to being convinced it really is safe and ok to mix them, but I haven’t jumped on it quite yet. 

[Carrie12345]

Dh got his Moderna booster yesterday. No complaints so far other than sore arm. For him, that’s saying a LOT (positively.)

[Syllieann]

2 hours ago, MEmama said:

The pharmacy I go to for vaccines only has the Moderna booster, but both my other shots were Pfizer. Idk why I’m feeling hesitant to switch it up.
 

I’m totally open to being convinced it really is safe and ok to mix them, but I haven’t jumped on it quite yet. 

I felt crummy after my pfizers but just had a mildly sore arm after my Moderna booster.  Don't go by that though, because I'm only one person.

This is a good interpretation of the mix and match study, and it links to the original study so you can see for yourself if you are so inclined.  https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/fda-meetings-cliff-notes-for-the

Edited October 27, 2021 by Syllieann

[MEmama]

16 minutes ago, Syllieann said:

I felt crummy after my pfizers but just had a mildly sore arm after my Moderna booster.  Don't go by that though, because I'm only one person.

This is a good interpretation of the mix and match study, and it links to the original study so you can see for yourself if you are so inclined.  https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/p/fda-meetings-cliff-notes-for-the

Thank you!

I think part of my hesitation (and it’s kinda silly, I freely admit) is that we had an easy time with the Pfizer shots, so I’m worried I’ll react more with Moderna. I know any side effect will be short lived—and it’s obviously better to get the booster either way. And there’s no side effect guarantee with either one. I just need to get over it. 
 

Thank you for all the info! 

[Acadie]

Does Walgreens require proof of employment for boosters? I teach as an independent contractor and don't have a school ID. 

CVS has no booster appointments within a 90 minute radius for the next week. 

If I can't do Walgreen's I might drive the 3 hr round trip to CVS. 

Edited October 27, 2021 by Acadie

[Syllieann]

7 minutes ago, Acadie said:

Does Walgreens require proof of employment for boosters? I teach as an independent contractor and don't have a school ID. 

CVS has no booster appointments within a 90 minute radius for the next week. 

If I can't do Walgreen's I might drive the 3 hr round trip to CVS. 

Walgreens didn't ask me for proof.  Neither did CVS.

[teachermom2834]

On 10/25/2021 at 8:36 AM, teachermom2834 said:

Dh and I are going on his lunch break today to her Moderna boosters. I was surprised to see they were available because just last week when Dh called Walmart (where we got our original shots) they said they had no idea when or if they’d get the booster dose. Checked the website last night and they have them and we made appointments for today. 
 

A little nervous about us both getting them at the same time in case we have reactions. I had no reactions from my first doses. Dh did fine with his first dose but his second dose knocked him out for two days (and then even though he said he was ok he looked like hell for a couple more days). Post Moderna shot #2 is the sickest I’ve seen Dh in at least a decade. But I guess his memory is short because he signed right up. At the time I remember thinking “never again”.

So we will see how it goes. I hope that the smaller dosage this time means it goes easier. 

Quoting myself to update. We are 48 hours post Moderna booster with no issue. We both could say we are a little tired but that could be true on any given day. Arms much less sore than the original two shots. 

Dh is very sensitive to the power of suggestion. Like if I say I have a headache he will say "yeah I do too."  He started to say he felt a little achy but after how bad of a reaction he had last time I don't think it would have been possible for him to not find a little complaint. So he said he was a little achy but he has been working just fine. We went to the Y last night to work out, etc. He is not behaving like he is feeling badly at all. So while he won't admit he isn't having a reaction, I'm willing to call it that. 😆 He was so very sick last time.

I did question the pharmacist a few times to confirm we had the Moderna booster and that it was the smaller dose. We did NOT want to accidentally get the full strength Moderna shot again. 

We were able to make same day appointments. Demand is low here so it was easy.

[MEmama]

1 hour ago, teachermom2834 said:

 

Dh is very sensitive to the power of suggestion. Like if I say I have a headache he will say "yeah I do too."  He started to say he felt a little achy but after how bad of a reaction he had last time I don't think it would have been possible for him to not find a little complaint. So he said he was a little achy but he has been working just fine. We went to the Y last night to work out, etc. He is not behaving like he is feeling badly at all. So while he won't admit he isn't having a reaction, I'm willing to call it that. 😆 He was so very sick last time.

 

Your words describing this (male) disposition are much, much kinder than the ones that run through my head. 🤣

 

[Lady Florida.]

On 10/7/2021 at 3:49 PM, Spryte said:

I just had mine. The first two shots — didn’t even feel them. This one — holy cannoli. Worst shot I’ve ever had. It’s been 30 minutes and the pain is still pretty intense.

 

 

On 10/7/2021 at 6:32 PM, Elizabeth86 said:

My dad got 3rd dose of Moderna. No reaction at all to shots 1 and 2, but after shot 3, he was sick all the next day.

I have my third shot of Moderna scheduled for next Monday. After the first two I didn't have any physical side effects but after the second one my arm was very sore for almost two weeks. They wanted to give it to me in my left arm but being left handed I insisted they give it in my right arm. I'm not sure why the pharmacist resisted but I'm glad I stood my ground, My dominant arm would have been useless if I let them give it in my left. Of course I'll make them my third shot in my right arm too.

[Spryte]

14 minutes ago, Lady Florida. said:

 

I have my third shot of Moderna scheduled for next Monday. After the first two I didn't have any physical side effects but after the second one my arm was very sore for almost two weeks. They wanted to give it to me in my left arm but being left handed I insisted they give it in my right arm. I'm not sure why the pharmacist resisted but I'm glad I stood my ground, My dominant arm would have been useless if I let them give it in my left. Of course I'll make them my third shot in my right arm too.

I hope it goes well!

[mommyoffive]

I got my 3rd Moderna shot a week ago.  I didn't have a reaction to the first 2 shots other than a mild sore arm.  I also got my flu shot at the same time, different arm.  I haven't gotten my flu shot in a bit.  Not last year.  

It knocked me out for 5 days.  Chills, fever, and a horrible headache for days that wasn't touched by any pain meds.  

[MEmama]

26 minutes ago, Lady Florida. said:

 

I have my third shot of Moderna scheduled for next Monday. After the first two I didn't have any physical side effects but after the second one my arm was very sore for almost two weeks. They wanted to give it to me in my left arm but being left handed I insisted they give it in my right arm. I'm not sure why the pharmacist resisted but I'm glad I stood my ground, My dominant arm would have been useless if I let them give it in my left. Of course I'll make them my third shot in my right arm too.

Interesting! I’ve always heard to get the shot in your dominant arm/ hand so you *do* use it more. I’ve always done that, I think. 

Hope the third goes better! 

[Syllieann]

Well, I though I had no side effects from my booster, but I've been getting this faint smell of incense all day that nobody else can smell and has no plausible explanation in the physical world.  I found a case study of someone who had it with Pfizer but nothing else.  Maybe I'm just nutso.

[Lady Florida.]

30 minutes ago, MEmama said:

Interesting! I’ve always heard to get the shot in your dominant arm/ hand so you *do* use it more. I’ve always done that, I think. 

Hope the third goes better! 

I've heard that too but never tested the theory. I'd rather have my dominant arm not be so sore I don't want to use it.

[iamonlyone]

My first shot was J&J and I got a Pfizer booster yesterday. I have a minimally sore arm, but that is my only side effect. Yay! Thanks to all who discussed the mix and match with me on another thread. Also, thanks for the tips about hydrating, icing and exercising. (I've been using my resistance bands.) I think all of those things are keeping soreness to a minimum.

I did encounter the mix-and match confusion I saw predicted on several news sources and here. I called a small, family-owned pharmacy (my first choice for the booster), and they said they couldn't give me an mRNA booster unless the patient met the specific requirements for the Pfizer or Moderna booster (I don't).

Next, I got on the Walgreens website and input my info (including the brand and date of my first—J&J—shot). The computer system said I was eligible for Pfizer and I scheduled a date. (The site did not ask for a preference, it just assigned me Pfizer, which is what I wanted.)

At Walgreens there was some confusion. They had not given anyone with J&J an mRNA booster yet. They weren't sure they could do it (the head pharmacist assured them they could), and their computer system didn't have the ability to click J&J as the first dose and an mRNA as a booster. (When they chose J&J, Pfizer and Moderna did not show up on the drop down menu as options to click for the booster.) They did some work around, but I won't be surprised if something is wonky in the record. They wrote the booster on my original paper vax card, though, so I should be fine.

I'm really happy to get a booster, and I'm very glad I should have good immunity through the holidays!

[Loowit]

I got my booster this afternoon (pfizer).  About 30 seconds after getting it the ringing in my ears got a lot worse.  The ringing started after my first shot, got worse after my second but had started to get less until today.  My whole arm is a bit achy, but otherwise feeling fine so far.  DD gets her booster tomorrow.  She is really excited about it.

[MEmama]

8 hours ago, iamonlyone said:

My first shot was J&J and I got a Pfizer booster yesterday. I have a minimally sore arm, but that is my only side effect. Yay! Thanks to all who discussed the mix and match with me on another thread. Also, thanks for the tips about hydrating, icing and exercising. (I've been using my resistance bands.) I think all of those things are keeping soreness to a minimum.

I did encounter the mix-and match confusion I saw predicted on several news sources and here. I called a small, family-owned pharmacy (my first choice for the booster), and they said they couldn't give me an mRNA booster unless the patient met the specific requirements for the Pfizer or Moderna booster (I don't).

Next, I got on the Walgreens website and input my info (including the brand and date of my first—J&J—shot). The computer system said I was eligible for Pfizer and I scheduled a date. (The site did not ask for a preference, it just assigned me Pfizer, which is what I wanted.)

At Walgreens there was some confusion. They had not given anyone with J&J an mRNA booster yet. They weren't sure they could do it (the head pharmacist assured them they could), and their computer system didn't have the ability to click J&J as the first dose and an mRNA as a booster. (When they chose J&J, Pfizer and Moderna did not show up on the drop down menu as options to click for the booster.) They did some work around, but I won't be surprised if something is wonky in the record. They wrote the booster on my original paper vax card, though, so I should be fine.

I'm really happy to get a booster, and I'm very glad I should have good immunity through the holidays!

I’m so glad it worked for you!

I continue to hesitate because I’m afraid of being asked how I qualify. I really don’t, apparently I’m in the 11% of American adults who don’t fall under the “should or may get the booster” guidelines and I’m not willing to lie if confronted. I’m considering making an appointment anyway, but I have to admit I’m really, ridiculously worried about being asked to justify the need. 

[math teacher]

I had mine along with a flu shot Thursday around noon. I started taking tylenol and did pretty good, but when I got home from school yesterday afternoon, I had a temp of 100. Spent the evening in the recliner, took more tylenol, slept all night, and I am back to just a sore arm this morning. Hope the fever is over for good!!

[Syllieann]

2 hours ago, MEmama said:

I’m so glad it worked for you!

I continue to hesitate because I’m afraid of being asked how I qualify. I really don’t, apparently I’m in the 11% of American adults who don’t fall under the “should or may get the booster” guidelines and I’m not willing to lie if confronted. I’m considering making an appointment anyway, but I have to admit I’m really, ridiculously worried about being asked to justify the need. 

*trigger warning*

I was worried about that too.  I thought I could say I was a former smoker, but I wouldn't want that erroneously going in a medical record.  I finally decided I'd say that I had a recent miscarriage.  Pregnancy ending in the last 42 days qualifies and there is no way to do anything but take you at your word.  (I'm not trying to make light of miscarriage.  I've had several and they were heartbreaking.  I'm just trying to protect the kids I have here on earth.)

[AmandaVT]

On 10/27/2021 at 4:23 PM, MEmama said:

Interesting! I’ve always heard to get the shot in your dominant arm/ hand so you *do* use it more. I’ve always done that, I think. 

Hope the third goes better! 

It could be a coding thing. I got my flu shot 2 days after my booster and the nurse asked me for my left arm. That's where I had gotten the booster, so I requested my right arm. She said - no worries, I've been having everyone do left to make the billing easier later so I can use the same code, but I'll make a note that you are the right arm.

 

I heard to get the shot in the dominant arm too - same reason, use it more to help the soreness go away quicker. I also end up flapping like a bird after all shots, to use the arm more. Hopefully it's true and I haven't just been making an idiot of myself all this time!

[Kassia]

I always get shots in my dominant arm because I sleep on my side on my nondominant arm and don't want any soreness to interfere with my precious sleep.  

[MEmama]

27 minutes ago, AmandaVT said:

It could be a coding thing. I got my flu shot 2 days after my booster and the nurse asked me for my left arm. That's where I had gotten the booster, so I requested my right arm. She said - no worries, I've been having everyone do left to make the billing easier later so I can use the same code, but I'll make a note that you are the right arm.

 

I heard to get the shot in the dominant arm too - same reason, use it more to help the soreness go away quicker. I also end up flapping like a bird after all shots, to use the arm more. Hopefully it's true and I haven't just been making an idiot of myself all this time!

I do the flapping thing too!  🤣

The coding thing is interesting! 

[Longtime Lurker]

7 minutes ago, MEmama said:

I do the flapping thing too!  🤣

I always rotate my arm link a windmill after a shot. This should only be done away from other people or objects 🤣

[MEmama]

1 hour ago, Syllieann said:

*trigger warning*

I was worried about that too.  I thought I could say I was a former smoker, but I wouldn't want that erroneously going in a medical record.  I finally decided I'd say that I had a recent miscarriage.  Pregnancy ending in the last 42 days qualifies and there is no way to do anything but take you at your word.  (I'm not trying to make light of miscarriage.  I've had several and they were heartbreaking.  I'm just trying to protect the kids I have here on earth.)

I’m so sorry. 😞

You are absolutely in the right to protect your kids at home. ❤️

[iamonlyone]

4 hours ago, MEmama said:

I’m so glad it worked for you!

I continue to hesitate because I’m afraid of being asked how I qualify. I really don’t, apparently I’m in the 11% of American adults who don’t fall under the “should or may get the booster” guidelines and I’m not willing to lie if confronted. I’m considering making an appointment anyway, but I have to admit I’m really, ridiculously worried about being asked to justify the need. 

The thing is, my understanding is that those who had J&J are encouraged to get a booster and may get whichever vaccine booster they prefer: no qualifying necessary.

"Nearly 15 million people in the U.S. have received an initial dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Since the CDC doesn’t require people to get the same booster dose as their initial vaccination, those who have a preference for an mRNA vaccine may seek one out instead."

https://www.verywellhealth.com/cdc-boosters-moderna-johnson-and-johnson-5206847

I think the family-owned pharmacy was incorrect. It's just confusing for all.

Here's a CDC source. It seems clear to me that all J&J recipients are encouraged to get a booster and may choose any brand, no qualifications necessary: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html

IF YOU RECEIVED

J&J/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine

People ages 18 years and older who received a J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at least 2 months ago should get a booster shot. The J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine has lower vaccine effectiveness over time compared to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna).

Which booster should you get?
Any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States

Edited October 30, 2021 by iamonlyone

[Spryte]

Small update on my possible adverse reaction: yesterday I was pain free! That would be the right flank and abdominal pain. The specialist had me taking lots of ibuprofen daily, using voltaren gel and lidocaine patches. She thought it was massive inflammation. I am finally feeling more normal, and just some occasional twinges if I crunch up into a strange position.

This event is separate from the side effects and flu-ish feelings, those went away after a few days.

Grateful that this time didn’t land me in the hospital for a few days. Relieved to feel better, finally. (Shot was on Oct 7– it’s been a long month.)

[Kassia]

@Spryte that is wonderful news!  What a relief.  ❤️

 

[Acadie]

I got my Pfizer booster Wed, and my first two shots were Pfizer as well. Overall it was easier than the second shot--my arm was more sore, but I only had about 36 hrs feeling a bit achy and my temp at little off. I was basically functional but still glad I'd planned only virtual commitments for the day. (With dose two I'd been in bed with flu-like symptoms.) 

My nonscientific theory is my immune system was able to rush more quickly to respond locally in my arm, with less systemic effect. 

I got my booster at Walgreen's and their setup was archaic compared to CVS, where dd15 was vaccinated and everything was digital. Walgreen's required several paper forms and several rounds of entering my info into their system (though admittedly it's not where we pick up prescriptions). 

@MEmama, I saw wording on both CVS and Walgreen's websites that people self-qualify for boosters, which I took to mean there should be no requirement to prove that you qualify. TBH, I think this is the CDC's way of making boosters available to all without totally dissing the WHO. CVS's website is easier to navigate--you just click that you're eligible, while at Walgreen's I had to check the box specifically for employment eligibility. They didn't ask me about it at the appointment.

FWIW, I see you as a teacher. You could search for a pharmacy that has many appointments available the same day, and be assured you're not taking a dose away from someone more in need. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have to drive too far to find a pharmacy where the vials are defrosted and open and they can't fill their open slots--we are still wasting doses on a daily basis.

I realize I might get flamed for this but I don't think our country's issues with COVID are at all related to people being too willing to get vaccinated. And I think what will make the most immediate impact internationally is Merck granting the right to produce their antiviral to other pharmaceutical companies. I don't think there's anything any of us (except heads of state and CEOs of pharmaceutical companies) can do to make vaccines available internationally in adequate numbers this year, unfortunately. That's going to take at least another year and probably more. But it does hearten me to know antivirals will soon become much more widely available. 

Edited October 30, 2021 by Acadie

[MEmama]

29 minutes ago, Acadie said:

I got my Pfizer booster Wed, and my first two shots were Pfizer as well. Overall it was easier than the second shot--my arm was more sore, but I only had about 36 hrs feeling a bit achy and my temp at little off. I was basically functional but still glad I'd planned only virtual commitments for the day. (With dose two I'd been in bed with flu-like symptoms.) 

My nonscientific theory is my immune system was able to rush more quickly to respond locally in my arm, with less systemic effect. 

I got my booster at Walgreen's and their setup was archaic compared to CVS, where dd15 was vaccinated and everything was digital. Walgreen's required several paper forms and several rounds of entering my info into their system (though admittedly it's not where we pick up prescriptions). 

@MEmama, I saw wording on both CVS and Walgreen's websites that people self-qualify for boosters, which I took to mean there should be no requirement to prove that you qualify. TBH, I think this is the CDC's way of making boosters available to all without totally dissing the WHO. CVS's website is easier to navigate--you just click that you're eligible, while at Walgreen's I had to check the box specifically for employment eligibility. They didn't ask me about it at the appointment.

FWIW, I see you as a teacher. You could search for a pharmacy that has many appointments available the same day, and be assured you're not taking a dose away from someone more in need. I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have to drive too far to find a pharmacy where the vials are defrosted and open and they can't fill their open slots--we are still wasting doses on a daily basis.

 

Thanks— this is really helpful.

DH tried to get his second shingles shot today but our CVS is suddenly so busy that they are requiring appointments for all vaccinations right now. I’m taking that as a great sign that people are getting their flu, kid's covid and boosters. 

[Janeway]

Fine,  no side effects at all. Also, I take vitamins but do not take any pain killers leading in to the shot. I have read those can increase the symptoms.

[goldberry]

DH got the Moderna booster on Thursday.  He had no reaction to the first two, but this one he had body aches and chills for about 24 hours. 

Regarding qualifying: they just asked him if he qualified and he said yes.  We were worried about if it would be a big deal.  Everyone he works with are antivaxxers, none of them are vaccinated.  He also lives with me and I work at a fire station with first responders.  We both felt like those two things = high risk job or home environment.  But they didn't ask any questions.

Getting mine next Friday.  My second shot wiped me out for three days, so a little worried about this one.

[Kanin]

Got Pfizer again, sore arm and that's it. Yay! 

[TechWife]

On 10/21/2021 at 10:50 AM, TechWife said:

Very timely thread for me, thank you. I just changed my appointment from Mon to Thurs because I'm lead in a meeting on Tues and I can't risk not feeling well enough.

An update: I got my booster Thursday afternoon. A little bit of muscle soreness when I moved it a certain way for a couple of hours, and that’s all. The first two had much more soreness.  I had my flu shot two days earlier and it wasn’t sore at all. I did have all of the vaccines in the same arm, I don’t know that it would make  a difference though. By all I mean all three Pfizer Covid vaccines and the one flu shot. An RN did all of them and they were barely noticeable going in. I’m relieved.

[Lady Florida.]

I had my third shot about an hour ago. My arm is mildly sore already so it might get worse. Going in though it didn't feel any different than any other kind of shot.

 

On 10/27/2021 at 3:54 PM, Lady Florida. said:

 

 They wanted to give it to me in my left arm but being left handed I insisted they give it in my right arm. I'm not sure why the pharmacist resisted but I'm glad I stood my ground, My dominant arm would have been useless if I let them give it in my left. Of course I'll make them my third shot in my right arm too.

 

On 10/27/2021 at 4:23 PM, MEmama said:

Interesting! I’ve always heard to get the shot in your dominant arm/ hand so you *do* use it more. I’ve always done that, I think. 

 

I'm revisiting this because as I was thinking about it today when I asked for the shot in my right arm. If I had to fight for it last time that means they were giving the shot in what would be most people's non dominant arm. That means they weren't expecting you to use your arm more to work out the soreness.

As for my right arm today, the pharmacist told me back when I got mine they were just trying to keep everything the same and that they've relaxed the requirement to have it listed which arm you choose. Also, with the 15 minute waiting period she said they recommend it but by the third shot if you feel comfortable foregoing the waiting period they won't chase you down. I left.

[Loowit]

I got my booster on Friday, and felt fine until about mid-day on Saturday.  I started running a low grade fever and had severe fatigue.  I am still feeling a bit wiped out, and have had a fever off and on.  My arm is red, swollen, and itchy today.  Ringing in my ears is still there, but slightly better than just after the shot.

[QueenCat]

I had my Moderna booster a few days ago. Arm is sore but no worse than the other two.

[JFSinIL]

Moderna this morning...if anything bothers me I tend to wake up middle of the night feeling achy at most...knock wood...)I will post an update.

[Storygirl]

I had my Moderna booster yesterday afternoon at 3:00. I barely felt the needle, which was awesome, because the guy who did my second shot managed to hurt me quite a bit. They told me I could walk around the grocery store for 10-15 minutes, which I did. For the previous shots, the grocery put a timer on and required me to sit for 15 minutes, so they have relaxed that observation requirement.

My arm started hurting while I was still in the store, and it still hurts today, but much less than for the previous two shots.

Last night around 7 or 8, I started to get chills and felt crummy for the rest of the evening. Just tired and achy. I never registered a fever on the thermometer, but I had to put on a sweatshirt and huddle under a blanket. But I slept normally all night and felt fine by this morning.

For my first two shots, I felt sluggish the second day, so my response to the booster was overall lighter.

[HSmomof2]

Ds (18) had J&J in April. He got a Pfizer booster on Saturday. Just a sore arm and felt a little more tired than usual on Sunday. He’s feeling fine today.

[Kassia]

DH works with someone who was knocked out two days from his Moderna booster! 

My ds1 just got his Moderna booster today (he had J&J).  I'll check in with him tomorrow and see how he's doing.

 

 

[Storygirl]

Oh, I got my booster at a Giant Eagle grocery store. I had to fill out a paper and check off a bunch of yes/no questions. One was whether I met the requirements for a booster. I just had to check yes-- no need to indicate what qualification I fell under. The pharmacy staff did not ask.

[melmichigan]

I wimped out. 

Edited November 2, 2021 by melmichigan

[Lady Florida.]

@Spryte I'm glad to hear you're feeling better.

Update on mine: I had my Moderna booster around 1:30 pm yesterday. Last night I was cold all night and chalked it up to being a wimpy Floridian as our nighttime temperature fell below 70F. However, I've had some chills today too so now I'm pretty sure last night was a side effect of the vaccine. I have that sensitive skin feeling that makes your clothes hurt (I usually get that when I have a cold), I'm achy, and depending on which ear I choose I either have a fever of 101.7 or 100.1. My normal body temperature runs around 97.6-97.9, so this is a bit of a fever for me. 

I do actually feel okay, not tired or out of energy. It seems weird to have the above symptoms yet feel fine.

Oh, and my arm is mildly sore but nothing like the second shot. That one made my arm nearly useless for almost two weeks.