Have you gotten a COVID vaccine?

[dvcgirl67]

Reporting in just in case people want to know what to expect. I took Advil this morning at 7 am, 15 hours after second Moderna for 99.8 fever, and pretty bad headache, chills and body aches. The Advil brought the fever down and helped with the headache/body aches.

Four hours later on the dot...headache, body aches and slightly higher 100.4 fever returned. And I just felt out of it. Took Advil and hit the couch with the dogs for the day. Three hours later...still feeling decent. Just tired.

 

[disneychrista]

Ugh! I hope the period thing doesn’t happen with me. It didn’t after the first one , at least. I have horrible heavy periods but thankfully they aren’t regular anymore. I certainly don’t need a vaccine making things worse.

 

[bcla]

In addition to the reason mentioned in both articles — tourism dollars — I would guess there are two other reasons they'd do that: either to keep surplus doses from going to waste (this one is implied in the Alaska article too) or to reduce the chance that unvaccinated tourists would infect the local population. Both are good reasons that are probably better than any downsides some people might see.

At this stage, a less-effective vaccine is still better than no vaccine at all, and we'll all be getting boosters down the line anyway, so I don't see that as a dealbreaker, either. Neither one says that the locations would be requiring vaccines, just "offering" them, so I'd also assume that people who want a vaccine and live in vaccine-plentiful areas will already have had theirs, while those who are coming from vaccine-sparse areas would be happy to take Alaska or the Maldives' doses.

Not sure if someone on a two-week vacation is likely to have much protection by the end of the vacation.

The other issue is that anyone who could afford a vacation such as to the Maldives would probably be in a financial position to get a vaccine locally.

This is just a weird aside with all this. Early on there seemed to be a lot of vaccine tourism with snowbirds traveling to Florida to get vaccinated.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Warning! Could be TMI...

My friend (35 years old) just told me that after her J&J shot she had the heaviest period of her life. As in, excessive bleeding all night long.

I’ve read that one of the very rare but possible side effects might be low platelets (the things that clot your blood). That could have caused it to be heavier than usual.

Since mine run rather low anyway, I have to watch for bruising, but I had no issues with my first (Moderna) and got my second today. So far, I feel fine, but I will get them checked if I develop anything worrisome.

 

[mickey916]

Doing my 15 minute wait after jab 2! Not sure what the pharmacist did but I had blood dripping down my arm! That has never happened to me before. Hope all the good stuff went in

My husband had the same thing happen during his first shot and had the same concern. He said he wasn't looking but then it felt like water was pouring down his arm and when he looked it was a lot of blood. He ended up with a sizable bruise afterwards.

 

[Figment of Speech]

This is just a weird aside with all this. Early on there seemed to be a lot of vaccine tourism with snowbirds traveling to Florida to get vaccinated.

I'd say the situations aren't parallel, unless Florida was trying to make that happen at the time. Early in the pandemic, doses were scarce, prioritization was important, and taking one out of the hands of someone who needed it more just because you can travel would have been a lousy thing to do. At this point, on the other hand, some U.S. locations are getting all their shots in arms, while others are winding up with surplus.

I sort of get the sense from the Alaska article that that might be part of what's behind their initiative: they have extra doses, some visitors haven't had them, might as well give it to them (and have them spend their tourist dollars in Alaska while they do).

In the Maldives piece, it sounded as if they weren't planning to prioritize tourists' shots over locals' shots. Both locations might be taking advantage of the fact that some countries are struggling with distributing their vaccines in a timely manner (I don't think Americans are the target audience for either one, for instance).

 

[bcla]

I'd say the situations aren't parallel, unless Florida was trying to make that happen at the time. Early in the pandemic, doses were scarce, prioritization was important, and taking one out of the hands of someone who needed it more just because you can travel would have been a lousy thing to do. At this point, on the other hand, some U.S. locations are getting all their shots in arms, while others are winding up with surplus.

I sort of get the sense from the Alaska article that that might be part of what's behind their initiative: they have extra doses, some visitors haven't had them, might as well give it to them (and have them spend their tourist dollars in Alaska while they do).

In the Maldives piece, it sounded as if they weren't planning to prioritize tourists' shots over locals' shots. Both locations might be taking advantage of the fact that some countries are struggling with distributing their vaccines in a timely manner (I don't think Americans are the target audience for either one, for instance).

What I remember about Florida was that they specifically noted that a resident could be anyone who lived in Florida even part of the year. However, most of the definitions of "resident" rely on the honor principle.

The Maldives seems to be getting a lot of vaccines for such a small population Still - unfortunately those with the means to travel to the Maldives are generally able to get vaccinated ahead of others.

 

[lisaviolet]

How about some states or countries offering a COVID-19 vaccine to visitors willing to visit, and a second dose if they stay long enough..

Arizona did that for Canadians very early on. So early, that I was shocked.

Florida as well, although in the end they slapped on residency I believe. Which many snowbirds have anyway.

 

[DLgal]

I’ve read that one of the very rare but possible side effects might be low platelets (the things that clot your blood). That could have caused it to be heavier than usual.

Since mine run rather low anyway, I have to watch for bruising, but I had no issues with my first (Moderna) and got my second today. So far, I feel fine, but I will get them checked if I develop anything worrisome.

The platelet thing isn't that straightforward. What is actually happening is that *something* (they think an antibody) is activating platelets, causing platelets to form clots and then when they measure the platelet levels in the blood, it comes back as low, because all the platelets are clumped up into clots. Typically, when clots are present, platelet levels are higher than normal. This is a reverse of the typical presentation of clots. So, the low platelets are not happening in isolation, but rather as a side effect of clotting elsewhere in the body.

However, there is a CHANCE that the vaccine is causing antibodies that attack various clotting factors, causing issues with both bleeding and clots as well. This is all stuff being looked into.

 

[PollyannaMom]

The platelet thing isn't that straightforward. What is actually happening is that *something* (they think an antibody) is activating platelets, causing platelets to form clots and then when they measure the platelet levels in the blood, it comes back as low, because all the platelets are clumped up into clots. Typically, when clots are present, platelet levels are higher than normal. This is a reverse of the typical presentation of clots. So, the low platelets are not happening in isolation, but rather as a side effect of clotting elsewhere in the body.

However, there is a CHANCE that the vaccine is causing antibodies that attack various clotting factors, causing issues with both bleeding and clots as well. This is all stuff being looked into.

Ohhhhh. That makes sense.

 

[dvcgirl67]

Feeling much better today. Long story short....I started to feel lousy 3 hours post vaccine, wasn't able to get a full nights sleep and then worse the whole next day. I took advil every four hours because the low grade fever (highest was 100.5), and aches/chills returned. I also felt queasy at times and essentially had no appetite. So, drank lots of fluids. Still felt pretty bad last night, but went to bed and slept for 9.5 hours. I woke up this morning feeling 95% better, just a tiny headache.

I had no choice in when I could get my vaccine. Well, I guess I could have waited, but I took the first shot I could get, which was 4pm on a Tuesday. So, my second Moderna shot came at that same time four weeks later. If you're younger or a woman (not sure what age it stops affecting women)....and you need to work plan to get the vaccine late in the day if you can....and take the next day off.....if you can.

Still, knowing I'll be mostly protected two weeks from now was totally worth it! A small price to pay!

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

This is just a weird aside with all this. Early on there seemed to be a lot of vaccine tourism with snowbirds traveling to Florida to get vaccinated.

I'd say the situations aren't parallel, unless Florida was trying to make that happen at the time. Early in the pandemic, doses were scarce, prioritization was important, and taking one out of the hands of someone who needed it more just because you can travel would have been a lousy thing to do. At this point, on the other hand, some U.S. locations are getting all their shots in arms, while others are winding up with surplus.

What I remember about Florida was that they specifically noted that a resident could be anyone who lived in Florida even part of the year. However, most of the definitions of "resident" rely on the honor principle.

There were reports back in January/February of people traveling to FL, even from other countries, to get their vaccines. As there wasn't anything saying 'residents only' at that time, just 65+. There were some people who did this, but it wasn't thousands. Some 'snowbirds' from other states DID come in, when they couldn't get a spot in their current resident state. It did cause a problem with the online sites and with full time Floridians not being able to get a spot for their own vaccinations.

In my county, they no longer have a set site setup for the health department to do vaccinations. They are doing pop up sites around the county, to try to get people who might not have been able to drive to the hd site to get one. So, if you're in NoFL and need your vaccine....

https://twitter.com/x/status/1385240063378960388

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I had my 2nd shot (Pfizer) on Tuesday. Yesterday was nausea, all over aches and pains, headache (severe) and very thirsty. This morning, no nausea, some upper neck/back pain (but that's from sleeping wrong, I think, as my muscles are very tight) and a bad headache (which could be related to the neck tightness. Other than that, I feel fine.

 

[JimMIA]

Florida as well, although in the end they slapped on residency I believe. Which many snowbirds have anyway.

Florida did NOT offer vaccine to visitors, in fact we did the opposite.

Pretty early in the vaccination cycle, Florida medical facilities noticed people from out of state coming to Florida specifically to get vaccinated. They were even coming to cities that were virtually locked-down. Very quickly -- while we were still in the 75+ only vaccinations -- Florida instituted the policy that you had to show proof of either residency or long-term visitation.

We have many thousands of people who spend the entire winter in Florida, including thousands from Canada. Those folks are eligible for vaccination, but they have to show a utility bill, proof of property ownership, or similar evidence of long-term residency.

 

[piglet1979]

My sister got her second shot of Maderna yesterday morning. So far the only side affect she has is a really sore arm. It looks like I was the lucky one in the family that got the worst side affects. No one else got the fevers, chills or body aches like me. Lucky Me

 

[loves to dive]

Update on Moderna 2nd shot. I am a 64 year old woman with a pretty good immune system. First shot just was a little sore first day, slight headache that Tylanol took care of and sore arm the 2nd day. Second shot on Tuesday the 20th at 10:45 am. Took 2 Tylanol as soon as I got home and moved my arm around a lot. By around 7 Tuesday night was really tired and arm had already started getting sore. By 3 am Wens. morning was very miserable so got up. By around 6 was thinking I might be dead. My entire body hurt, both bones and muscles, I had the worse headache I've had in my entire life, I had diarrhea, was having horrible chills. By around 9 am I was also throwing up. Took Tylanol and laid in bed, might even started crying at one point. By around 2 pm most of the chills had stopped, the body pain was down to just bones and a heating pad helped, I switched to Aleve. I was able to eat some toast for breakfast (which came up) and a grilled cheese for lunch around 1 which stayed down. I napped around 2 for about 1/2 hour and again around 3 for about 1/2 hour. By about 4 I was thinking I might live, just some body ache, the arm was sore and the headache had dulled down to a regular headache. Slept through the night and today I'm tired, slight headache and body ache (which might just be old bones)not very hungry and my arm is slightly sore. I told hubby (who gets his 2nd shot next week) I'm not sure I'd do it again if I knew what I was going to go through. I've never been in so much pain in my life and I gave birth to a 9 lb. child. My reaction was very odd because normally if I get sick I always get very mild cases, example: I had shingles a few years ago and it was just a rash under the skin high up on one thigh. It hurt for a day but over the counter topical rub and Aleve worked fine. Hubby thinks it's because I have a very active immune system that was fighting the vaccine pretty hard but who knows. After his first shot he was tired and just had slight pain in the arm the second day.

 

[JLTraveling]

Update on Moderna 2nd shot. I am a 64 year old woman with a pretty good immune system. First shot just was a little sore first day, slight headache that Tylanol took care of and sore arm the 2nd day. Second shot on Tuesday the 20th at 10:45 am. Took 2 Tylanol as soon as I got home and moved my arm around a lot. By around 7 Tuesday night was really tired and arm had already started getting sore. By 3 am Wens. morning was very miserable so got up. By around 6 was thinking I might be dead. My entire body hurt, both bones and muscles, I had the worse headache I've had in my entire life, I had diarrhea, was having horrible chills. By around 9 am I was also throwing up. Took Tylanol and laid in bed, might even started crying at one point. By around 2 pm most of the chills had stopped, the body pain was down to just bones and a heating pad helped, I switched to Aleve. I was able to eat some toast for breakfast (which came up) and a grilled cheese for lunch around 1 which stayed down. I napped around 2 for about 1/2 hour and again around 3 for about 1/2 hour. By about 4 I was thinking I might live, just some body ache, the arm was sore and the headache had dulled down to a regular headache. Slept through the night and today I'm tired, slight headache and body ache (which might just be old bones)not very hungry and my arm is slightly sore. I told hubby (who gets his 2nd shot next week) I'm not sure I'd do it again if I knew what I was going to go through. I've never been in so much pain in my life and I gave birth to a 9 lb. child. My reaction was very odd because normally if I get sick I always get very mild cases, example: I had shingles a few years ago and it was just a rash under the skin high up on one thigh. It hurt for a day but over the counter topical rub and Aleve worked fine. Hubby thinks it's because I have a very active immune system that was fighting the vaccine pretty hard but who knows. After his first shot he was tired and just had slight pain in the arm the second day.

I'm sorry you went through all that. But I think your hubby's right. Your immune system was mounting one heck of a response! So glad you're feeling better now.

 

[wvjules]

My DBF got his 2nd Moderna at 2pm yesterday. He has a slightly sore arm and yesterday he had what he described as a "cooling sensation" in his face...kinda like aftershave feeling. Today just a slightly sore arm. Right after his shot yesterday he went swimming so I think that's why he is less sore for #2 than he was for #1.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

24 hours post shot 2 and only thing is a very painful arm. With the first shot I was exhausted and nauseous within a couple hours!

The only bad thing about this dose is I must return to my office at least 2 days a week once I hit 14 days post shot. I am so not ready. We also have no idea about people who won’t get the vaccine. I am not comfortable being in our very open office with all those breathing particles in the air.

 

[DoryGirl1963]

57 year old female here. 1st Moderna shot on 03/23/21 only had a slightly sore arm for less than 24 hours - that was it. Got my 2nd Moderna shot this past Tuesday 04/20/21 at 4:00 p.m. Arm very sore by bedtime. Woke up at 1:00 in the morning racked with chills - as in shaking, teeth chattering for almost 4 straight hours - & severe headache & body aches. Pretty much got no sleep after that. Drug myself into the office to do critical things then went back home and crashed in bed sound asleep from noon to 4:00. Felt significantly better when I woke up but still achey & shivery. Went back to bed at 8:30 last night & slept fine 'til alarm went off at 5:30 this morning. Completely back to normal - well, as normal as I ever get, LOL - right as rain this morning . Totally worth the 24 hours of misery!

 

[helloconnie]

53 year old women here. I am fully vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccines. Received my second shot last Friday (4/16) and the next day had a sore arm, no energy and a slight headache. Lasted one day then I was fine. My husband had some body aches the day after but on the second day he was fine as well. Ready for our next trip to Disney World in 34 days! I only wish I could get my two teen boys vaccinated.