Paul and William and I got our annual Covid and flu shots today. My report may or may not be helpful to you, since I am hearing it varies by pharmacy/chain/practice and by state: but in our state, at our local pharmacy chain, when I signed up online for vaccination appointments, it asked me two questions: (1) had it been more than two months since our last Covid shot, and (2) were we eligible to receive the vaccine. It did not define “eligible,” or ask any follow-up questions about that. If I weren’t extremely online, and hadn’t been hearing all the scary things about the government restricting Covid vaccines, I could easily have said yes to the eligibility question in full innocence, just thinking it meant was I eligible like I always have been. And maybe it DID mean that! Who can say? I appreciate their commitment to plausible deniability. And also: the shots are in our arms now. It’s not like they can be taken back.
I can also report that when I picked up one of Edward’s prescriptions at Target back in early September (I need to transfer those, but haven’t yet), they asked if I wanted a flu and/or Covid shot. I said I’d heard it was best to wait until October, but that I was wondering if I should grab this opportunity before it was lost, given (*MEANINGFUL WIDENED-EYE-CONTACT*) The Current Administration—and the pharmacist said in our state we should not have an issue with it, and that their pharmacy had already ordered and received their shipment of vaccinations. She said one of our neighboring (BLUER) states was not as secure, and that she’d already vaccinated many people from that state who were driving to our state. So that is another tip for U.S. residents: neighboring state. That might bring up issues with insurance, though, I don’t know.
The three littles will be home next weekend, and I’m booking them for the same shots then. I hate to have them spend one of their few days with us suffering side-effects, but here we are.
I asked the technician giving me the shots if she’d heard any feedback on the side-effects of this year’s particular formulations. She said she had not, but that of course she WOULDN’T normally hear back; she said people only said that the flu shot hurt more than the Covid shot, which was true for me too. She did say she’d had repeat customers: people coming in the next week to get their RSV, pneumonia, MMR, TDap, etc., so she felt they couldn’t have been TOO traumatized. My mother reported that she was unconscious on the floor for an unknown amount of time after feeling too weak/sick to climb into the bed—but, as you’d imagine given the age of your Swistle, she is Older, and also she has chronic issues with dehydration/fainting. Do you remember back when the Covid vaccines were new, and they said to absolutely CHUG Gatorade/Powerade on the day of the vaccine? We are doing that here, in the hopes that it will mitigate the reaction. But I am expecting, if this shot is like the others, that in the night we will start to feel feverish/ill, and that we will spend part of tomorrow luxuriating in illness. (There is such a different vibe to Feeling Ill when the symptoms are “oh good this shows us the vaccinations are working” rather than “oh no here we go down a dark unknown road.”)
I do think I am going to get the pneumonia shot this year. I was so sick last winter, I remember thinking “Oh, I see: THIS is how people die.” I am also thinking I will get an MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) booster, just for kicks; it sounds like it can’t really do harm, only good, and if we’re going to let measles go frolicking around in this country again, I’d rather put up some personal barriers. The ER gave me a tetanus shot when I fell and needed stitches on my knee; I wonder if that was the TDap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), or if it was JUST tetanus? IS there a shot that’s just tetanus? If I got a just-tetanus shot, can I still get the TDap? I never felt like I needed to know these things, before this administration.
Have you already gotten your flu and/or Covid vaccines, and can you give us a report on what the side-effects were like this year, and about whether you encountered any obstacles to obtaining the shots? And while I have you here: are you able to give a report on what to expect with the pneumonia and/or MMR vaccines?
Remember to make your vaccine-receiving arm all loose and noodley right before the shot! And then move it around a lot afterward! (Someone told me this is why they get their vaccines in their dominant arm, since they naturally move that arm more, and this has changed my own strategy.)
It’s just Tetanus, because it’s adjacent to an injury.
Pertussis is part of the RSV series, I think but I can’t remember specifically for grown ups (yes, I’ve had it)
MMR- it’s an age thing. Some people only got one and some got two, depending on which generation. I’ve only had one but had to get the titer to prove immunity FOR WORK just prior to the pandemic, strangely. I will ask at the next well exam because YES, you’re right. Extra barriers are good.
Varicella or Shingles imm? Shingles hurt so bad and there were two. I’m just saying. You’re probably not in that age range yet, lucky. :)
I’m allergic to eggs but considering the flu shot anyway. Hives is probably the worst thing that would happen. Although Kevin is allergic to the actual shot.
I’m scheduling a COVID imm right after I click post. I keep putting it off, for no reason.
Good ideas and reminder!!! Hooray for making this a normal, grown-up thing to do, like going to the dentist. (also: hooray, I can use my skills from work to help! If you lived here, I could print you your immunization certificate with all the info. But: alas.)
I got my flu and covid shots a week apart, mostly because flu was available before covid, at least here in Florida. (I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to get the covid shot in Florida, and planned to try on a trip to NY, but was able to get it here after all.) I do not recall the flu shot administration being painful, and the only effect I had was some soreness at the injection site for about 2-3 days. Definitely not a bad reaction.
Administration of the covid shot was actually painless; I did have some injection-site soreness, and then overnight the second night, my arm got noticeably sore: I would roll over on it in bed and be aware it was uncomfortable, but I was able to sleep on that side, which wasn’t always the case in the past. I also didn’t notice any swollen lymph nodes under that arm, which happened to me before. I gave myself permission to have a lazy weekend, but really didn’t feel bad at all. I’m very pleased to have been able to get both before my trip!
I got my Covid shot a couple of weeks ago. The injection site was pretty sore and hard for a couple days after, but that was it for me (which is pretty typical for me). I think my wife’s experience was similar, except maybe with a smidge of fatigue.
I got both of mine at the same time a few weeks ago. Like you, the flu shot hurt more than the Covid shot. Side effects were no different than previous years. Just a day of feeling a little achy and under the weather. It passed quickly with no issue. Also important to note I am well past the age where I am automatically qualified, even given the current ridiculous restrictions, and still didn’t see any increased issues.
The flu shot hurt a wee bit more than the COVID shot last…Sunday was it? Not even a week ago? I have lost track. Anyway, some arm soreness the next day but not at all limiting. (So I am absolutely rolling my eyes and hubby and teen son who got shots last night and are being wimpy about using their arms today.) Easy peasy.
Got both in one arm, and the only side effect is arm soreness. I don’t usually feel ill after, tho. My husband always gets sick for a day or two, but he hasn’t gotten them yet. I got them both in my dominant arm because I sleep on my non-dominant side.
I got my COVID shot in early September and the side effects were pretty consistent with what they’ve always been for me: body aches and tiredness for like 18-24 hours. Good excuse to laze around and do nothing for a day.
I’m getting my flu shot this week but I rarely have much in the way of side effects from those. I am Of An Age where I should get my singles shot and I keep putting it off but I really do need to do it, and I’m also wondering about an MMR booster. Will ask my doctor.
Good for you, getting all vaccinated and protected! I got a pneumonia vaccine a couple of weeks ago and had zero side effects. It didn’t hurt at all, even afterward, which amazed me. I’ll be getting my flu shot this coming week. I’ll see if the Covid one is available.
I had the Shingles vaccines a couple of years ago. The first one was no problem. The second one was a doozy. I kept telling myself that it must be working really well!
I got my flu and Covid shots a few weeks apart, partly because I was waiting for Novavax to be available and partly because I did not like how I felt the one time I did both together, albeit that was with Pfizer. The flu shot did not hurt at all but my arm became sore by evening and stayed sore for a good 48 hours, which is unusual for me. The Novavax made my arm feel tingly and weird for an hour or so. I got the same Novavax last year and had no side effects apart from some soreness; this year I felt kind of low for about 48 hours, but nothing too bad. The formulations were exactly the same so who knows what makes a person react differently…I hydrated well both times.
You got Novavax? I have been waiting for that. I even CALLED Sanofi to ask them and they were like “idk, not yet” which O found particularly unhelpful. YOU DID ALL THE WORK. YOU GOT APPROVED. And you don’t KNOW?!?! In this administration? Pfizer and Moderna are already everywhere and you don’t know?
Anyway. I will check availability by me again. Thanks.
Our Costco in New Jersey has the updated Novavax!
Update: got novovax yesterday . Kinda floaty and meh today. I also got flu. Girl child came with me and reports a lump in her neck. I haven’t seen it yet because she noticed at school. Boy child (under 12) got two today. Arm is sore. BUT ALSO he BROKE BROKE his wrist over the summer and still seems traumatized by that. His getting the vaccine and the immediate aftermath were no bueno. Poor kid cried. But that’s likely more recent arm trauma than the vaccine.
I was very happy with Novavax this year. Not even a sore arm for me.
I got my flu shot last week and found that the injection site was less sore than usual but that the side effects hit me harder. Neither my kids nor I have been able to get a Covid shot. We are in a very blue state, but neither the pediatrician’s office nor the vaccine clinic I went to was offering Covid to anyone under a certain age without preexisting conditions. I have not decided yet how I aggressive I will be in seeking one out elsewhere…
I took my 2 year old to the pediatrician for an ear infection on Friday, and asked if he could get a flu shot since we were already there. The doctor asked if we wanted the Covid shot too, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that they had it available for all ages. My pharmacy only has it in stock for 12 and up. I have had many Covid shots and only get a sore arm, no other side effects or feeling sick.
I got mine on Tuesday. When registering online I had to say what my risk factor was. But they didn’t ask again. I was told to take Tylenol if I had any pain from the shot, but that everyone ‘should do what is best for them’ regarding Tylenol. (Eye-roll). I didn’t have any side effects, which is pretty normal for me with shots. My parents and one of my sisters ended up with a really sore arm for a day or two. But mine was fine.
I never thought we would be in a place where getting a vaccine was a sign of resistance against our government, but here we are.
I live in a state where the Governor has declared “Covid shots for all!” and where every time I picked up a prescription in the several weeks before actually getting the vaccines, the pharmacist told me at check out “Hey we have Covid + Flu shots now, and your insurance covers them, you can do walk up or appointment!” And yet when I finally went to my appointment (and filled out all the standard questionnaire stuff in advance when I made the appointment) the pharmacist asked me like 3 times whether I was immunocompromised, and then after I still said no I wasn’t, asked me to sign a form that said I am not immunocompromised but still want the shot anyways. This had never been required before, and was especially weird given the pharmacist was wearing a t-shirt that said “Get your Flu, Covid, or RSV vaccine at Walgreens!”
For what it’s worth, symptoms for me were pretty mild this year. I got my shot early afternoon, still went to my usual Yoga class that evening (I think this helped!), woke up in the middle of the night feeling achey and feverish, but took some ibuprofen and went back to sleep. The next day I was pretty tired, but otherwise fine.
Very easy year for side effects, for me and my child. We got mRNA COVID and flu together, same arm. I personally have had C vax that knocked me ooout and some that have not bothered me. I think it’s been mostly linear, getting easier each time? To the point this year, where I felt very slightly under the weather within a few hours and then a few more hours passed, and so did the slightly-under-weather feeling. And of course a sore arm for a day or two.
Also, I got a Novovax booster in early Feb, and it was very minor side effects, except for a sore arm.
We got an email from my kid’s pediatrician a few weeks ago about scheduling flu shots. They are allowing parents to get flu shots at the same time they vaccinate the kids, which I love and yes I will take them up on that thank you very much. But the email ALSO said they had no idea when or if the covid shot would be available. So I’ve kind of been waiting, to see if maybe that would change. Probably time to at least get the flu shot, though, and then see about getting the covid vaccine elsewhere.
I love that you described your college kids as “the three littles.”
We haven’t gotten our flu/covid shots yet, but I recently got shingles and pneumonia and one of them hurt for days afterward, not sure which. I did not feel ill. I have to get all shots in my left (non-dominant) arm because i have a glucose monitor on my right arm and shots nearby can mess with its readings.
I made an appointment online for Flu and Covid shots next week at a local grocery store (M3!j3r) (because they actually honor appointments unlike our local W@lgr33ns and S@m’s Club) and the system said the pharmacist would determine eligibility for the Covid shot, so we will see how that goes.
I got my Covid shot in NC in early September. I was afraid I’d lose access any minute so I got it as soon as I could. (I will get flu shot soon, in October- I hear it’s best to get it then because flu season often lasts well into March and the vaccine protects for six months).
They asked if I had a preexisting condition and I said yes- depression counts, baby! I don’t know anyone who isn’t on an SSRI and or receiving therapy.
Symptoms this time around- I got the shot and then did a Pilates class that involved a lot of arm movements (not with weights, just body weight) to distribute the shot in my muscle. I started getting achy maybe 12 hours after the shot which was typical for me (and could some of the aching have been from the Pilates? Yes!) I took Tylenol and as a result did not get feverish as I did with Covid vaccines past. My main symptom this time was arm pain- it hurt a LOT MORE than years past. The pain was SIGNIFICANT for about 1 day and NOTICEABLE for an additional two days.
For vaccine talk I highly recommend the substack Your Local Epidemiologist. She gives information that is practical, non hysterical, and empathetic. And really tries to understand the perspectives of folks who don’t have public health training and are leery about various things.
We can’t get them here yet (okay, I just checked and it looks like we maybe can book for Covid shots but also some places have Covid and flu but just take walk-ins, and that doesn’t really work with my parents). I do remember I got Astra Zeneca the very first time and they told me to drink a ton of water so I did and then was so convulsively shaky with fever I could hardly get myself to the bathroom so THAT sucked, but is funny in retrospect. I also didn’t check until after reading your post that other vaccines are listed, and it would probably be a good idea to consider which of those we need.
I got flu and Covid shots a couple weeks ago (in Illinois). Probably the least side effects I’ve had yet. Just some fatigue the next day. I had to fill out a form at Walgreens but it was just self reporting on a pre-existing condition.
Ermergeeerrrh this whole situation is infuriating. I am NOT A DOCTOR, and I don’t WANT to do my own research. That’s what doctors are for! Tell us what shots to get and make it easy… I’m sorry I seem to be preaching to the choir here. Anyway, I live in Texas (sorry) and I, an adult, was able to get my flu and COVID shots at the Target/CVS pharmacy no questions asked, no charge. She didn’t even look at my insurance card. HOWEVER, I had asked the pharmacy a few days before if they would have pediatric (under 12) COVID shots, and they said yes, but when I brought my kids in they said they didn’t have them (they just got flu shots). The pediatrician doesn’t yet (they say), and Costco said they wouldn’t have them at all, which is disheartening because they are usually on top of having the right things in stock. Both my girls have asthma, so they should be “allowed” to get shots when they come in, but the conflicting information is maddening. Oh, and I felt icky that night and the next day, which is typical for me.
And THIS is why insurance shouldn’t be tied to employment – because open market insurance sucks and I only found out about it after the fact. I did get my pneumonia shot because my doctor suggested it at my last well check visit. Only to be charged $283 after the fact. Turns out the insurance I have will only cover $40 of any vaccination! I was able to get my flu shot for $12 but I am going to have to pay over $100 for the COVID shot; which I hope to get tomorrow. I hate this administration with my whole heart and damn, I need a job.
I went to Publix (grocery store) to get my flu & Covid shots yesterday. I had read the Covid shot made your arm sorer than the flu shot, so got the Covid shot in my non-dominant arm and the flu shot in my dominant one. Today, both upper arms are a little sore and I felt a little blah in the morning.
The pharmacist said she couldn’t give my husband a Covid shot because he is only 64. He had asked his doctor to send a prescription to the pharmacy (due to his having both diabetes and heart issues), which the nurse said she had done, but the pharmacy claimed they had not received the prescription and so could not give him the shot (even though they handle one of his diabetes medications). He was MAD! Anyway, later in the day they called and told him if he’d come back they’d give him the shot because they had “checked the CDC website”. So, availability if you’re not over 65 is very spotty here – some places have you check a box saying you have a qualifying issue but don’t make you specify what it is, and some places are adamant about not allowing it (although the pharmacy lady indicated it was a previous pharmacist there who decreed no one under 65 would get the shot). We live in a red state, which is probably pertinent.
Oh! and I had the biggest reaction I have ever had to the pneumonia vaccine – upper arm swollen and hot. I usually don’t have much of a reaction to vaccines, so I was surprised. However, I had previously had pneumonia (the sickest I’ve ever been in my life), so perhaps my immune system was “There it is again! Get it!”
My provincial (if we were the 51st state we’d be very Red) premier has decided thet they “wasted too much money” on Covid shots last year, so they are charging whatever they cost for them, and they had to be pre-ordered in August or you won’t get one.
And we can’t book until after October 20th. And only at Public Health departments, so it’s even harder for rural folks who will have to travel to, at least, their county town.
Pharmacies are still doing the flu shots, so ours will be separated by however long.
And I’m angry at our provincial government.
I got an MMR Vax in March before a work trip to a conference in Texas. I had scheduled it online but when I got there the pharmacist came out and asked why I wanted it. He didn’t even know about the outbreak in Texas at that time. But after I told him, he was willing to give it to me.
For the covid shot last month, I had to check a box and state what I had that made me eligible (Walgreens). Then they had the same form when I signed up for the flu shot the other day!
Side effects for me for the Pfizer covid shot were just a sore arm.
I got Covid and Flu shots last week because I had a regular Doctor appointment and she asked at the end if I wanted them so I said yes! Five minutes later it was done. One day of hot feeling amazing (mixed with a cranky teen’s optometrist appt=not a great parenting day) but normal the next, except for a sore arm.
I had my 2nd Shingles vaccine last month and it was far more impactful, but only for 48 hours – so maybe this seemed easy in comparison…
I got my flu shot at a worksite flu shot clinic and my arm was sore for a day or so and then my armpit swelled a little, which I’ve had before, but only since Covid times that I’ve noticed it. I got my Covid shot on Friday at my doctor’s office and it did hurt less, but it bled enough that the medical assistant put pressure on it and changed the bandaid. I didn’t feel the bleeding or anything and it stopped right away, but it was a little odd. This was the 2025 Pfizer Covid vax. My arm was a little sore for less than 12 hours, no other side effects.
Our family of 4 did manage to get the Covid (Pfizer) and flu shots about 3 wees ago; we live in PA. We wrung our hands about how to do it among the changing regulations and guidelines and so forth. My doctor wrote a prescription for it for me and my two kids (since we all are her patients) and sent it to the pharmacy. Even she was confused if that was needed or not, but the company she works for said yes it was. (There was a lot of eye rolling and frustrated sighs from her about the extra nonsense; she also had some chatter about having trouble getting it for her kids) My husband did not have a prescription but was able to get it anyway at the pharmacy. I can report that my Covid shot arm was pretty sore for about 2 days, but my other arm that received the flu shot was just mildly sore. My husband who works for a hospital and has been required to get covid and flu shots every year for a while now says his hospital is not requiring it for their employees. Sigh.
Post script: My daughter came home from school with flu-like symptoms last week. She bounced back really quick! Within 12 hours she was feeling better. I’m claiming a win for her getting the flu shot.
We shoved all our shots in just before the changes, in anticipation of possibly not being able to get them later. I figured better too early than not at all. And it seems that was a good idea because I wasn’t able to get Alex’s covid shot that day and she has still been unable to get hers. I keep asking though and hopefully I can find her one soon. She’s complicated by being still in the child dosage and not every place here carries them or gives them to the under twelves. The rest of us can just lean over the counter at any pharmacy but I have to go through hoops for her.
Elizabeth and Ryan had a day off school the next day for the covid shot fever and achy feelings. I had nothing whatsoever but I have had more covid shots than the general public due to all my trial shots and at some point I adjusted so I have hope that the general public will hit that point soon. I did think “hmm, it would feel very nice to lie down” a few times the next day. Flu shots were entirely ignorable the next day, unless we specifically poked the parts of our arms where we’d gotten them.
Covid vax availability here in Virginia has been a roller coaster. For a brief window they were available; then only available if you had a reason; then shut down to everyone unless you had a PRESCRIPTION (even for 55+!) at which point my local pharmacist quietly suggested driving to Maryland if my insurance would cover it, where it was still available; then suddenly available again, even at CVS/Walgreens. Going to try and get the whole fam in this weekend before it changes again.
I went to pick up a prescription yesterday at CVS, and while I was checking out on the little keypad, it said, “Would you like a COVID or Flu shot today?” I said to the pharmacist, “Can I really get a flu shot right now?” And she said, “Yes! There’s a nurse here, if you don’t mind waiting.”
Easiest vaccination ever! Ten minute wait. Only a wee bit sore last night, and today, nothing! It was nice to be able to come home and cross off “Flu Shot” from my To Do list.
I’m planning to wait a few days and go back for the COVID shot. I know everyone says it’s okay to get both at once, but I just feel better spacing them out.
I got flu and pneumonia on 10/1 at my annual physical. Then I went to Walgreens to pick up an Rx and they were all “Want a flu shot? Want a Covid shot? We can do it right now!!” I said I just got the flu and I did want Covid but wasn’t sure if insurance would cover (I have crummy marketplace insurance). The tech ran it through and said “it’s coming up $0!” so I scheduled it for yesterday, 10/10. I have felt the least side effects yet from any Covid shot–I did not get the crushing tiredness last night (day of) before my bedtime, slept in a little this a.m., and feel a little headachy today. Just took some Tylenol (ha) for that. I had also taken some on the flu/pneumonia day. Arm was sore for quite awhile from the pneumonia but again, so far so good from Covid (it’s been 25 hours).
I am in a purply Midwestern state with a Dem governor. And apparently the different Walgreens locations are having a contest to see which one can administer the most flu and covid vaccines. So there were no questions asked about eligibility/risk factors.
I got Novavax last Friday and it had absolutely no side effects for me, not even a sore arm!