Fluzone High-Dose and Headaches: What Users Say

• ski...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 27, 2024

For Influenza Prophylaxis "No one told me I was getting the high dose or if I wanted it. Very bad reaction: couldn't move for two days, horrible headache, joint and muscle pain, hurt from my feet all through the body. Balance issues, couldn't eat or sleep. Worse than any flu I've ever had. It took me two weeks to shake it off. I guess the pharmacists give the same dose to a 300+ pound male as to a skinny 68-year-old vegetarian. When I went back to Walgreens pharmacy to report the adverse reaction, they were not remotely interested in my case, all I got was a shrug and "Sorry". Didn't take any information from me or even make a note of it happening. Never again!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2019

For Influenza Prophylaxis "For 24 hours after the high-dose flu shot (over 65), I endured chills, headache, stomach upset, stuffy nose, felt very, very sick all over, and ached and ached. Not a pleasant experience—yes, there are reactions to this shot—don’t let the medical profession fool you! I hope this was all worth it—"

• Avi...
• December 14, 2019

For Influenza Prophylaxis "I took the high-dose flu vaccine on 9/27 as I was planning a trip that required long hours in flight. Three days later, I had extremely bloodshot eyes with tearing, photophobia, chills, body aches, and headaches the like of which I have never had before. They seemed to be worse at night and early morning but varied in location and intensity. My balance was off (not good for a hiker!), so I was off-trail for a considerable time. Blurred vision, so I had my eyes examined with no changes there. Continued headaches with high blood pressure requiring an increase in my BP medication. This took me to the doctor and had an MRI on December 11. It was negative. Still having gait problems this far out from the vaccine and headaches. No one will ever convince me that this is a safe vaccine. I travel a lot and have had vaccines for typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A & B, pneumococcal, DPT in the last two years. Nothing wiped me out like this. I had to reschedule the trekking expedition I had planned for months."

• Lay...
• November 12, 2019

For Influenza Prophylaxis "This year was my first time taking the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine. I've experienced headaches, increased weakness, and pain in my muscles and joints, back (body). I've experienced increased difficulty walking and trouble raising my legs to rest them on the ottoman (still hurt), or when getting into bed. Sleep has been difficult. It feels like having the flu. I have some musculoskeletal difficulty on a normal day. After the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine, it's like a sudden, lingering onset of the body aches. I had the flu in 1992. It took all of my strength away; with aches and pain. When I thought it was cleared up, it doubled down. It was hard to get rid of. I felt blessed and thankful to get over it. I have taken the regular flu (influenza) vaccine every year since. I'll go back to the regular vaccine. No Fluzone High-Dose for me. I am thankful for a healthy immune system. I feel that the regular flu vaccine will be good enough. Thanks-but-no, thanks."

• Apa...
• October 5, 2020

For Influenza Prophylaxis "Had the high dose of this Fluzone vaccine this morning since I am 77. Never had the injection before and never had the flu. Late after noon, I now have a sore throat, a cough, a one-degree elevated temperature, a headache, and I don’t feel well! These are symptoms of COVID-19 also. I regret ever taking this vaccine!! I am in very good health usually!"

• Mil...
• November 7, 2018

"I had a severe headache that lasted a week. I began to have terrible pain in my hip, which became worse, interfering with my walking. I have never had joint pain of any kind before this Fluzone High-Dose injection. I am still dealing with this for two months now. My doctor has given me a cortisone shot in the hip, which has helped some to ease the pain, but I am concerned that this will become chronic."

• Rox...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2019

"Received Fluzone HD at the end of Sept. I went 4 years w/o even a cold with regular flu shots. As of Dec., I caught a heavy cold; no fever but too much coughing, headaches, and chest/bad sinus congestion. It seems to reduce after 3 days then restart...over and over again. Next year, back to the normal flu shot."

• poc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2020

For Influenza Prophylaxis "I got the Fluzone High-Dose for the first time this year. I normally get the regular injection with no issues. I am 72 and a very healthy guy. Eight hours after the injection, I am suddenly hit with severe body aches, cough, headache, and my oxygen level dropped to 83. I spent three days in the hospital, and a week later I have severe fatigue issues and some kind of upper respiratory infection. If I try to take a deep breath, I can't, I start to cough and have some blood in what I cough up. I was tested for COVID and the flu, which were negative. My white blood cell count is twice what it should be. You want my advice? Stay clear of this shot."

• Jan...
• December 3, 2019

"I had a bad reaction to this vaccine within 2 hours of the injection. First, I became congested, and a cough developed shortly after the congestion started. Then came a headache, followed by nausea and vomiting. I felt feverish and basically felt like I had the flu. I felt much better the next morning but had to stay home from work because I wasn't feeling well enough to go anywhere. By late afternoon, I was nearly back to normal. I have never had a reaction like this to the regular dose of the flu vaccine. I will not take the high dose again."

• Sic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2022

For Influenza Prophylaxis "I am female and just turned 65 years old and was given this shot instead of the regular flu shot I had always been given, which never caused any side effects at all. At first, my arm was a little sore, but nothing compared to Covid arm. Two days later, I noticed I was really tired and needed to go to bed early, even though it was the weekend. At the end of the third day, I felt awful. I had chest pain, body aches, and a pounding headache, but the worst was the extreme weakness. I couldn’t get from one end of the house to the other without being short of breath with my heart pounding. This went on for four more days. It would let up now and then, but always came back. The side effects were worse and lasted much longer than the Covid shots I had had previously. I will never get this again! It was a horrendous experience!"

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2021

For Influenza Prophylaxis "I am 67 years old. Got this vaccine yesterday. By yesterday evening, I had chills, painful body spasms, and a headache. My husband had to help me walk. It was like having the flu! Did not sleep much last night due to spasms, headache, and chills. Mental confusion as well. I will refuse to take this vaccination again."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2020

For Influenza Prophylaxis "I’m 66 years old, and this is the first time I had the Fluzone HD. I was okay with the shot until bedtime when I experienced muscle aches, chills, and slight headaches (no fever), which lasted a couple of days. By the third day, all symptoms had resolved. I never experienced any swelling or pain in the arm where the shot was administered. I have always taken flu shots and had the 65 and over flu shot last year. This is the first time I ever experienced any side effects. I was informed that I would have some stiffness, which was an understatement! I’m in good health and not on any medications. I will stick with the regular 65 and older flu vaccination from now on!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 10, 2021

For Influenza Prophylaxis "October 8, 2021, I received the HD flu vaccine for the first time. I am 71 and in good health. After 6 hours, I developed a headache and severe muscle and joint pain. Terrible back pain and couldn't sleep. Low-grade fever the next day and still aching, headache. I will never get this type of vaccine again. Never had a problem with the regular flu vaccine."

• Soo...
• November 6, 2022

For Influenza Prophylaxis "11/5/22 - 101 degree body temp, nausea, muscle soreness, headache (besides injection site soreness). Couldn't be vertical for 24 hours. Slept off and on all night and day. Couldn't eat anything for 24 hours."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2022

For Influenza Prophylaxis "My doc told me to always get the flu and pneumonia shot. In the past, I almost died from pneumonia, hospitalized for a month. So every year, I go and get the high dose for flu. I'm a 68-year-old. I'm almost at death's door, almost. Every time I even went to the ER several of those times, the ER doc asked if I got the flu shot and I said yes. I asked him why I feel so horrible when I was vaccinated against the flu, and his reply was at least it kept you from dying! Well, I couldn't wrap my head around this. So the very next year, which was 2021, I went and got another flu shot that year. Well, believe me, I'm done with them, I'd rather take my chances. Last year, at the height of the pandemic, I thought okay, I better get some protection. It wasn't long until I fell ill with nausea, 103 fever, agonizing headaches, and muscle aches. Called the doc, said oh it could be COVID, get tested... no local testing available. So I quarantined at home. I know it was the flu and not COVID, no coughing, no SOB. Never again!"

• Mar...
• October 8, 2022

For Influenza Prophylaxis "Had vaccine at 1 pm. By 11 pm, had chills, body aches, stuffy nose, and pain at injection site. Headache the next morning. Felt fine after that. Hopefully, will protect me against flu."