Shingles vaccine - bad reaction

[rlk]

Has anyone had a reaction to the Shringrix shingles vaccine? I got my second dose yesterday afternoon and have had a fever, chills, and nausea since last evening. I remember feeling mild symptoms from the first dose, but nothing like what I'm feeling this time.

 

[flyingdumbo127]

Hug, Rlk. I'm sorry. I am replying because a good friend of mine had a similar reaction to you to her recent Shingles shot (I do not know which one she got)! She went and got tested for Covid (thankfully negative) even because she felt that badly! Take care and feel better!

 

[NYCgrrl]

Haven’t personally but was talking about the vaccine with my older sister. The reactions she had for the first shot mirrored yours but she was fine for the second.

 

[rlk]

Hug, Rlk. I'm sorry. I am replying because a good friend of mine had a similar reaction to you to her recent Shingles shot (I do not know which one she got)! She went and got tested for Covid (thankfully negative) even because she felt that badly! Take care and feel better!

Thanks, flyingdumbo. My doctor made a point of telling me about what could happen so that I would not automatically think Covid.

 

[Pooh2]

My husband had the same reaction as you OP to the second dose.
I am due for my second shot in a few weeks, going to take the tylenol before the shot and hope it wards things off!
Feel better!

 

[nw6675]

Both of my parents and my PCP had terrible reactions like yours. My mother's PCP after the fact said she has quit recommending it due to reactions.

 

[rlk]

Both of my parents and my PCP had terrible reactions like yours. My mother's PCP after the fact said she has quit recommending it due to reactions.

I had a relatively mild case of shingles a few years ago. I told my husband today that I think I'd rather have shingles than this reaction.

 

[Pink Partridge]

I know several people that had this reaction. I will never get this vaccine.

 

[momz]

Believe it or not, your reaction, while uncomfortable, is a good thing. It's a sign your immune system is responding and hopefully creating antibodies. This reaction is evidence your immune system has been activated. That's the point of a vaccine. This is not "bad" at all. Uncomforable yes, but necessary.

 

[bluecruiser]

My 90-year-old mother had shingles last summer, and although she's over it, she still has some minor numbness due to nerve damage. At this point the numbness may be permanent. Her shingles symptoms lasted more than a month. Her shingles experience was hell for her and she was prevented from seeing her grandchildren and great-grandchildren during the time due to shingles. This was not abnormal and can happen to you when you get shingles (regardless of your age). I was glad I had the Shingrix vaccine, even though I had more pain from the shots than usual with vaccines. A few days of side effects from the vaccine are well worth it if it prevents full blown Shingles in the future.

 

[rlk]

Believe it or not, your reaction, while uncomfortable, is a good thing. It's a sign your immune system is responding and hopefully creating antibodies. This reaction is evidence your immune system has been activated. That's the point of a vaccine. This is not "bad" at all. Uncomforable yes, but necessary.

What you said makes total sense!

 

[Jeannie]

Both my husband and I had no reaction to the first shot, but did for the second. We felt terrible the day after the shot, but back to normal about 24 hours later. One day of misery was 100% better than the possible effects of shingles in our opinion!

 

[easyas123]

Haven’t personally but was talking about the vaccine with my older sister. The reactions she had for the first shot mirrored yours but she was fine for the second.

I've got two friends who have reports same as above.
My Mother had shingles, a rather mild case. Lasted a few weeks and was very uncomfortable for her. I turn 50 in 2 years and I'm planning on getting the vaccine as soon as I do!

 

[aggiedog]

I felt like that both doses. The first dose I got Wednesday, and had to work my busiest day of the week the next day. I was miserable. I learned from that and got my second dose Friday after work, spent all day Saturday in bed, and was just fine by Sunday.

I see patients several times a week with Shingles. I'd much rather feel like crap for 2 days instead. I'm just glad I could plan which day to feel badly.

 

[ronandannette]

Believe it or not, your reaction, while uncomfortable, is a good thing. It's a sign your immune system is responding and hopefully creating antibodies. This reaction is evidence your immune system has been activated. That's the point of a vaccine. This is not "bad" at all. Uncomforable yes, but necessary.

If I may ask, having just got a flu shot and not experiencing any reaction beyond a little muscle ache at the site, is not having side effects a problem then?

 

[Disneypeach]

My pharmacist warned me about what others were telling her about their reactions so I was prepared. Low-grade fever for 36 hours and a sore shoulder for about 5 days. This was true for me with both shots. But, having watched my dad suffer with shingles and then the long lasting nerve pain, a couple of days not feeling great was worth it.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Has anyone had a reaction to the Shringrix shingles vaccine? I got my second dose yesterday afternoon and have had a fever, chills, and nausea since last evening. I remember feeling mild symptoms from the first dose, but nothing like what I'm feeling this time.

I had no problem with the initial vaccine. Second dose, upper arm was red, swollen, hot and really sore, and I had headache and irritated eyes. Couldn't raise my arm up, either, like when I get a tetanus shot. I think getting the second dose is a bigger deal to the immune system once it's already been triggered by the initial shot.

The worst of it only lasted about a day or two. Then it got better.

 

[fly girl]

My mom and my sister had horrible reactions to shingles vaccine. My Mom with second dose. My sister with both. She really didn't want the second does but said she didn't want to go through all that for nothing. Both were out of commission for 3 days just lying in bed feeling absolutely miserable.

I am not looking forward to this vaccine. But I will do 3 days over actual shingles. My sister (same one as above) actually had a mild case of shingles when she was only 38 years old. It was enough for her to get the vaccine as soon as she turned 50.

 

[VandVsmama]

My husband's grandmother went blind thanks to a case of shingles, so when we're old enough to get vaccinated, we're doing it! I'd rather feel like doo doo for a few days than go through what she did.

 

[mumto3girls]

I just had my first dose on Monday. I got the flu shot at the same time—one in each arm. The shingrix hurt a tiny bit going in and my arm was a bit sore for about 3 days. I had no other symptoms. Flu shot was totally painless. My pharmacist warned me that I could develop a fever and flu like symptoms with the shingrix although she said it is much more common to have issues with the second dose.