Prevnar 13 and Body Aches: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• December 15, 2019

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I was given the Prevnar 13 shot, and by that evening, my arm was swollen down to my inner elbow and all the way around. It was hard as a rock and hot and achy. I also had a fever, and my whole body was achy, my husband had to walk with me as I could barely move, my whole body ached. The next day, I called and asked if they needed to report the side effects to the health department. They said no, that was all common things from the vaccinations. I was told possibly a sore arm, that was all. This lasted for 4 days, but 2 months later, I still have a painful ache in my arm from time to time. I am 66 years old and would worry about an unhealthy older person living alone getting this."

• Hat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2019

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I had a Prevnar 13 shot, and my whole upper arm is swollen with redness. I was hot at the injection site, and there was stiffness in the joint and reduced range of motion. I had soreness in the front and back shoulder area, oh, and vomiting! I had body aches, a low-grade fever, and was in bed for 3 days. Some side effect symptoms are better, but redness, soreness, and low range of motion are still present. I am a mildly young person at the age of 38, I cannot imagine giving this to a 78-year-old and them having to get sick like this for days. Or a person with a weak immune system. I’m thinking this is not the best medicine."

• MKa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2020

"I was told by my physician that I need to take the pneumonia Prevnar 13 shot during my intro to the Medicare Wellness exam. The shot was the most painful shot I have ever had. Two hours later, my arm was red, hot, and swollen, and the tips of my fingers were extremely cold. Then the body aches started, and I couldn't get warm. When I felt the urge to go to the restroom, I felt really faint. As I lowered myself to the floor to keep from fainting, I broke out in a fierce sweat. After getting assistance, I was able to get back to my bed. I didn't sleep much that night and went to the ER the next day. They did blood work, and my white blood cell count was 11. They had just checked it 2 weeks ago, and it was 6. They said it was a very bad reaction to the injection. Three days later, my arm is still hot, and I was told to take prednisone to reduce the swelling. I am still very sluggish and haven't felt good since the injection. I will never take this again, and I'm finding out it may not have been mandatory."

• MEG...
• October 12, 2020

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "Had the pneumonia and the flu injection and ended up with horrible side effects day one, muscle aches, pains in both arms, second day after worse, third day took a Benadryl, felt a little better, fourth day mild diarrhea and body aches and lack of feeling well. Today is the fifth day and still sore and running to the bathroom with loose bowels. No fever but still feeling unwell with sore injection sites in both arms. When do these side effects end? How long? Never again, I had pneumonia last year with a cold, it wasn't as bad as this..."

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2017

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I turned age 66 last year, and at annual check-up, my doctor recommended I get a pneumonia shot (never had one). The doctor said to take half that year and the other half this year, and then never take it again. Last year, I had redness and swelling of the arm, joint and body pain, chills, weakness, and cough. The redness had gone after one week, but other symptoms continued for two to three months. This year, at check-up, I told my doctor my side effect symptoms, but he didn't think it was from the shot, so he gave me the other half. Within two hours, my arm was swollen with redness covering the whole upper arm. I was hot at the injection site and had stiffness in the joint and reduced range of motion. I had soreness in the front and back shoulder area. I had body aches, low-grade fever, and was in bed for three days. Some side effect symptoms are better, but redness, soreness, and low range of motion are still present. Never again, thank goodness."

• Mur...
• March 1, 2021

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I am a 62-year-old healthy female. Went in for physical on 2/23 and Dr. said I needed Prevnar 13. I was hesitant but agreed. The nurse said I may feel tired the next day. Six hours after the injection, my arm was very sore, body aches started with uncontrollable chills, and my body shook for 4 hours. I barely slept that night as the chills were off and on. Woke up with more severe body aches, blinding headache, and nausea. Day 3 still had body aches and diarrhea. I also noticed that I had a couple of canker sores in my mouth, and I never get canker sores. Aches have subsided by day 5, but I have a mouth full of painful canker sores that prevent me from eating and keep me awake at night. Swallowing is excruciating. It is day 6, and I have swollen glands. This vaccine has been the worst decision for my health. I called the doctor's office, the nurse suggested I had an underlying dental autoimmune problem. Don’t ever be railroaded into taking this injection. I fear I may have ruined my health."

• Boo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 19, 2020

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "Same as everyone else, but I also had my second shingles shot and the flu shot the same day. I'm a 66-year-old healthy and in good shape female. On the fourth day, my overall body aches and pain lessened, and now it's mostly in the injection site. Not having much of an appetite and still getting the headaches. I just wish I would have been warned. I guess there is no reason to dash off to my doctor at this point."