I was very concerned before adult child got vaccine and tried to look more into the reactions. At the time there was some data from vaccines until maybe the second week of Jan. Until then there had been 10 Moderna allergic reactions in approx 4 million doses, interestingly all in women.
A good friend gave vaccines at a big site this week and was asking lots of questions. The team had done one day of JNJ and told her that they’d had 7-8 reactions that day that were treated with Benadryl and oxygen (and I imagine other things), and in the weeks they had been doing Moderna, only people treated were for anxiety. This is clearly not scientific, and the last thing anyone needs is to get more anxious about a vaccine. At this point 10s of millions have gotten Moderna and Pfizer, I would look for more recent info on the number of reactions but figure those odds have to be incredibly incredibly small. I might want to see more data on JNJ now that many more doses have been administered.
DS received a general email from Colgate’s administration about “possible vaccine availability” to all facilities, employees, support staff and students employed by the university. She works as a CL and also tutors. I’m thinking once it becomes available for everyone, I’d want her and my son home and get it locally just so we are around. I’ll have to look for more information about the J&J vaccine. Only our kids have not gotten the vaccine. My husband, two of my brothers all received the Moderna vaccine. Our parents and in-laws received their first shot of Moderna two weeks ago.
@compmom I took my sister to get her 2nd vaccine on Saturday. She handled it with no problems. Sunday she had a sore injection site and strangely sore knee and ankle. Otherwise just tired.
She had seen her rheumatologist last week and he was thrilled she had started the vaccination process. He said the outcome for her if she got Covid would not be good. She did have her shots at a hospital location though it was in a parking lot. I think she felt more comfortable being close to the hospital if she had a reaction. They did tell her that she didn’t need her epi pen ready as the staff and observers all had them ready to use if necessary.
Hope you find a vacine spot that works for you soon.
I have allergies to shellfish, sulfates (preservatives in food and many Rx), and several other things. I also have asthma and very bad lungs. I got both Pfizer shots without any problems (did bring my Epi-pen to 2nd shot, just in case). I had no reaction other than mild pain at injection site. It was similar to my reactions to most shots.
So far, have not known or heard of anyone having allergic reaction to covid shots, other than national news reports. No one at our group being observed had any reaction mentioned to any of the medical staff for our batches of shots nor my mom’s.
It’s been 4 days since I got my first Pfizer dose. It has knocked me on my butt. Been in bed taking benadryl for itching, ended up with a rash on my face and neck. (also intestinal challenges, dizziness, nausea, shaking, no appetite and a nasty nasty headache). After an appointment with a doctor, they think I’m “too sensitive” for the second dose and should rethink getting it. I’m torn now because everyone else in the house will have had their second shot by April 5th but I will still be unprotected without the second shot. I’m trying to reach out to Pfizer, the CDC, the FDA - I want to get more information from someone about the risks (because the benefits are clear). I’m not going to cancel my appointment for dose 2 yet - might be impossible to get another appointment scheduled. Anyone else have issues like this after dose 1 but did fine with dose 2? of the Pfizer?
I suppose there is always a chance I could have gotten covid back in late February or early March 2020 but my employer went remote on March 13th, as did my son’s school. Neither one of us have been back in person for over a year now. We have groceries delivered and order anything ese we might need online. The only two times I’ve been out were to drive to UConn to drop off a tick for analysis after it bit my 75 year old mom (July 2020) and to take the cat to the vet (they make you wait in the car - curbside vet only) so mayyyybeeee??? I am actually trying to find out if I can wait a few months and try to get the J&J but would have to look into that more. I’ll have to schedule a virtual visit with my allergist to discuss the ins and outs of it but I know I need “something” for a “second dose”.
I have been following a forum on vestibular.org about people who have developed issues with dizziness, tinnitus and headaches after the vaccine. Unfortunately, they do not seem to be getting consistent answers.
For example, VAERS lists dizziness as in top 3 reported adverse responses (headache was #1), but when person contacted manufacturer were told dizziness isn’t a side effect. Some of their doctors think it’s not vaccine related and can get 2nd dose, while others feel certain it must be vaccine related and not to get 2nd dose.
Hope you are able to find some more clear answers for your situation.
I’ve read that a few people who have had allergic reactions to the mRNA vaccines were allergic to either penicillin or sulfa drugs. You mentioned your allergy to sulfa, which may be the culprit. I happen to be allergic to both penicillin and sulfa drugs, so although I will get the vaccine when I can, I am dreading the potential reaction.
I’ve also read that if you have an allergic reaction to the first dose of the vaccine, it is not recommended that you get the second dose.
I have allergies to penicillin and sulfa as well (in addition to peanuts and tree nuts)–and I had no major issues with either dose of the Pfizer vaccine. I did have a slight rash on my arms the day after my 2nd shot, but this cleared up within a couple of hours (and was only noticeable to me since I was focused on any potential issues).
Obviously each person’s experience will differ, but just wanted to put this out there.
I have a co-worker who got covid19 from the hospital (she’s a phlebotomist) last fall. She received the Pfizer vaccine in late December and had a late reaction (dizziness, general weakness, stomach ache, if I remember correctly) that persisted for a few days. She got her second dose and have had really minor reaction of just sore arm.
Don’t know which at MGH. I called them and asked if I could decline Moderna if offered and they said no problem. I would like J and J. I have a backup appt. for Pfizer set up that I can cancel. I liked the idea of being on the MGH campus just in case! I already know I am going to have a reaction but probably not anaphylaxis.
I was more comfortable having my shot at a medical clinic, just because I have had extreme adverse reactions to sone medications (though not technically allergies) and have allergies to crustaceans, sulfites and a few other things, as well as an Epi-pen.
Fortunately, as mentioned unthread, my Pfizer shots as well as my 91 year old moms were totally uneventful other than expected mild discomfort at injection site. H (75+) had his 12-48 hour malaise from both his Pfizer doses, which he chose to sleep off.
There was a lot of press and hype when it was disclosed that a nurse receiving the vaccine had fainted within seconds of getting it. The antivaxxers were all pointing at her, saying “See??? NOT SAFE.”
A reaction like that immediately after getting a vaccine is not a reaction to the vaccine, it is a reaction to being stuck with a needle. Some people have a vaso vagal response to getting a shot or having their blood drawn. It has nothing to do with allergies or to the ingredients in a vaccine or medication given in a syringe.
Hoping those with actual allergies to some of these vaccine ingredients stay safe and can work with their doctors to obtain one that can be tolerated.
DS is scheduled to get Moderna vaccine in school. She works on campus. My husband and I gave her the clearance to get it. Her anaphylaxis events before were all triggered by accidental food exposure/consumption. I am praying that she will be okay tomorrow. I told her to bring her Epipen, Benadryl and inhaler with her.
Fingers crossed for her! My D21 needed her inhaler at the half-hour mark after getting the Pfizer first dose but that was it. She did fine after that with nothing but a slight headache that Tylenol took care of.