Pneumococcal 13-valent vaccine and Swelling: 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."

• Bob...
• August 14, 2020

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I had this drug Prevnar 13 five years ago (followed by Pneumovax 23). Am a 50-year-old male, low white blood cells, with low immunity. Anyway, had the shot around 4 pm on a Thursday, and the actual injection was completely painless. Had an initial warming of the body within ten minutes as I responded to the various foreign bodies! A headache then started as expected (over 80% of people get them). Didn’t sleep that well that evening, which is very odd for me. Felt about 75% right the next day, and wasn’t too bad to start with, but by lunchtime the headache was back, and I felt like I wanted to lie down. Had two naps during the day (even though I’m very fit and wouldn’t normally). By Friday evening, my left arm was sore and a bit swollen, and as described by others, my movement was limited, etc. Anyway, let’s see - I’ll post another update once the symptoms subside."

• 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."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2018

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I'm a 72-year-old female, and had my 2nd (and thankfully last) Prevnar vaccine in my left arm in October 2017. The initial side effects were swelling, pain, and redness on and around the injection site, and pain and limited mobility throughout my left arm within hours after the injection and continuing for over a week. Additionally, the day after the injection, I ran a fever and felt like I had contracted a bad flu... this lasted for about 3 days, gradually improving each day. Now, 6 months later, I still have pain and reduced range of motion in the injected arm."

• Oil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2017

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I turn 66 next month, and while getting my annual flu shot, I was advised by the pharmacist to get the first dose of Prevnar 13. Within minutes, my arm started to ache, and by bedtime, it was swollen and quite painful. The next day and following day, and still continuing into the second month, my shoulders and joints are quite inflamed. It feels like my shoulder joint is deeply injured. Sleep is near impossible on my sides where I normally sleep and still mildly painful lying on my back. I won't get the second shot next year as this has been excruciatingly painful."

• Oil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 15, 2017

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I turn 66 next month, and while getting my annual flu shot, I was advised by the pharmacist to get the first dose of Prevnar 13. Within minutes, my arm started to ache, and by bedtime, it was swollen and quite painful. The next day and following day, and still continuing into the second month, my shoulders and joints are quite inflamed. It feels like my shoulder joint is deeply injured. Sleep is near impossible on my sides where I normally sleep and still mildly painful lying on my back. I won't get the second shot next year as this has been excruciatingly painful."

• 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."

• lih...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2017

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I suffered side effects that commenced four days after being vaccinated. They included intense itching at the injection site, redness, and swelling. My arm showed movement limitations the day following the injection, accompanied by moderate pain. On day five, the discomfort was sufficient to inhibit sleeping that night. I see nothing to recommend this treatment for senior citizens, although my doctor administered it to me, knowing I'm 78 years old."

• Rit...
• October 15, 2020

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I am 58 years old. So, in March, during the pandemic, I decided to get the PCV13 shot. A few hours later, that evening, I noticed a rash on my left arm where it was administered. It was swollen and red. The next day, I woke up, and the rash got larger, but now it came with pain and fever. I called my doctor, no one wants to see me, thinking I have COVID. I was told to take Benadryl due to the possibility of a reaction to the drug. I took Claritin because Benadryl is too strong for me. The rash went on for 6 weeks. Muscle aches and joint pain without relief would not allow me to sleep. Fatigue and back pain, plus a headache, contributed to an overall miserable night and day. I went to the pharmacy, no help. Six weeks later, the rash and fever went away. But now the pain escalated, I can barely lift my arm all the way up without being so sore. Every night, up to today, I'm still suffering from the pain in my arm, unable to sleep at night. Mind you, I suffer from fibromyalgia. This medicine is not for everyone."

• gri...
• September 28, 2017

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I had extreme swelling at the injection site, muscle, joint, nerve pain continuing and still there four months after injection. Very limited use and movement of the arm where the injection was done. Inflammation caused plaque in arteries to break loose and clog arteries, resulting in two stents having to be placed in the heart. I still have pain in neck and shoulder muscles......"

• gri...
• September 28, 2017

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I had extreme swelling at the injection site, muscle, joint, nerve pain continuing and still there four months after injection. Very limited use and movement of the arm where the injection was done. Inflammation caused plaque in arteries to break loose and clog arteries, resulting in two stents having to be placed in the heart. I still have pain in neck and shoulder muscles......"

• Twe...
• December 9, 2020

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "I went to see my doc for an unrelated reason. He suggested that it was 'time' that I should get this vaccine. I have asthma, so I’m assuming that’s why it was suggested. I’m 24 years old. I am not having flu-like symptoms, but like another poster said, it didn’t hurt when I initially got the shot, but later that same night I was driving and got a serious pain in my arm and shoulder. I put ice on it today, this is day 2 (almost closer to 3). I actually just took an ibuprofen because of how red, hot, and swollen my arm is. It hurts to move my arm at all. And like most other comments, I definitely can NOT sleep on the arm I got the injection in. I also slept for like 13 hours, which is not very normal. My hands are cold and clammy. I’m definitely going to question any and every vaccine, especially for my young children who can’t tell me when they hurt after! I only want to give them essential vaccines. I really am starting to wonder HOW necessary SOME (not all) vaccines are."

• LAU...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 15, 2021

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "Was hospitalized with COPD exacerbation, and my Dr. advised me to take the Prevnar 13 because pneumonia could be fatal for me, so I did. That has been going on for 5 years now. I still have a knot where the injection was given. Nobody around here wants to hear about this, but my arm still swells up and gets hot. The pain (unbearable) goes from my elbow to my neck and causes extreme discomfort, and I have to take 800 mg of Ibuprofen and 20 mg of Flexeril 2 times a day for about 3 days, and it subsides enough that I can function. And then I'm back to it. 5 years!"

• Igg...
• March 5, 2017

For Pneumococcal Disease Prophylaxis "Delayed reaction 3-4 days, both arms, muscle and joint pain and weakness (4 months and counting), swelling in both arms (left twice the swelling), drowsy and sleeping excessively, vomiting."