Influenza virus vaccine, inactivated and Fever: What Users Say

• Jan...
• December 3, 2019

Influenza virus vaccine, inactivated "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."

• Gay...
• January 3, 2020

Influenza virus vaccine, inactivated for Influenza Prophylaxis "Since day 2 of the vaccine, severe back pain, very tired first couple days, muscle weakness, throat swelling. Still muscle weakness after day 84. Fevers since the first week. I feel worse than actually having the flu. When will this ever end? Never again will get this vaccine."

• Sus...
• September 30, 2020

For Influenza Prophylaxis "The flu shot this year is something else. I have a fever, irritated throat, nose running, chills, nausea, etc. I always get my flu shot every year, but after getting this year's flu shot... I’m not going to be getting them anymore."

• Ery...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2019

Influenza virus vaccine, inactivated for Influenza Prophylaxis "First two days: Experienced fever, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, bruising at the injection site, and a general feeling of sickness. Days 3-6: on and off fever, major bruising at the injection site, back pain, and fatigue. Days 7-14: pain at the injection site, mild fever, mild fatigue, and loss of appetite. Will not use this vaccine next year. The egg-based Fluvirin does not cause these symptoms in me."

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

Influenza virus vaccine, inactivated 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."

• NNN...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 10, 2023

Influenza virus vaccine, inactivated for Influenza Prophylaxis "I’m 61 and had Flucelvax for the first time on 10/7. I had only mild symptoms until 48 hours later. Then extreme fatigue, fever, body aches, nasal congestion, headache, very sore injection site with swelling/redness. This threw me for a total loop because all of my previous flu vaccine reactions have occurred the day of my shot. I was up sweating all night with a 102 fever and still feel weak today."

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

Influenza virus vaccine, inactivated for Influenza Prophylaxis "I have been very sick for days following this shot. High fever, chills, terrible body pain, heart racing, and some of the worst headaches of my life. I won’t be getting the flu shot again. I was perfectly fine when I went in, four hours after the shot, I was in terrible pain and not in my arm."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2022

For Influenza Prophylaxis "Got this vaccine on Friday, Nov. 2nd, 2022. Then let's just say 6 hours after the injection, I developed a cough with horrible chest pains. Then later that night, I got nauseous and couldn't lay down to sleep, or else I would vomit. On Saturday, I had bloodshot eyes, and my joints and muscles ached so bad I had a low-grade fever that didn't go down. Saturday night, I was able to lay down and sleep, but Sunday morning, bad headache along with a bad cough still. This was an inactive vaccine, so I had no idea why I got so sick from it. I seem to be getting better now, so hopefully this was worth it."

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

Influenza virus vaccine, inactivated 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!"

• mid...
• November 12, 2019

For Influenza Prophylaxis "I had the influenza injection Thursday at 7:45 pm. On Friday, the shot spot was hard and muscles were sore. Saturday, I checked my temperature and had a fever of 101.2. Sunday, I called the on-call nurse for the doctor's office. Sunday night, my back and neck had odd swelling, but the nurse had said that reactions are usually only 2 days. Hive spots were all over my back and up my neck, into my scalp. There was also a sore lump kind of in my arm. Called the doc. 'It's probably not a reaction to the flu shot, stop by at 12.' The doc reviewed flu shot Thursday evening - yep. Noticed fever - Friday. 'Coincidence.' I was put on Prednisone and Bactrim (generics). 3 special mentions: 1/ my temp, bp, weight, etc. were taken before I got the injection and I wasn't told that I was running 99.6. Should that have been a stop for the shot? 2/ Symptoms exactly the same as the possible side effects list. Yet, he still said it's probably not related. 3/ The Prednisone and Bactrim are working and my fever is gone, but when will this end... ten days?"

• ms ...
• October 2, 2016

Influenza virus vaccine, inactivated for Influenza Prophylaxis "While I did feel sick after the nasal flu vaccine one year, the flu shot itself never made me sick until this year. I still don't understand it. I usually feel a little dizzy the day of and a little run down for a couple days or so, but this time I felt pretty sick. The day of, I had moderate dizziness, which I attributed to lack of sleep and not eating when I had gone for a doctor's appointment where I opted to get the shot when they offered it. I kept explaining it away until the next day when I started having mild flu symptoms. I had the flu before, so I know what that's like. These symptoms were very minor compared to having the flu. I felt feverish, chilled, sore throat, body aches, no appetite, nausea. Still, advocate flu shot though."

• Ake...
• October 4, 2022

Influenza virus vaccine, inactivated for Influenza Prophylaxis "I get a flu shot every year. I have also been vaccinated with both pneumonia shots, gotten both Covid shots, and been boosted three times. The worst post-vaccine reaction to the shot has been tenderness of the shot site the next morning. I haven’t experienced any fever, chills, or body aches. I haven’t had any flu in years. Some winters have been accompanied by a cold, though none were severe. Some of these symptoms may have been flu-based but were mild enough to be considered only a cold. Presuming a reaction becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy."