Zoster vaccine, recombinant and Sore Arm: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "On day 12 post #1. Sore arm, fatigue, general achiness persist. At my age, hard to be sure vaccine-related (except sore arm), but have to be suspicious. Dread shot #2, but will take because already 'flunked' the old shot last year, and even though had mild symptoms-so I am told-it was awful. FYI, costing me $350 for 2 doses, and that's with insurance."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 8, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I got the first Shingrix vaccine on 7/4. My arm was very sore at the injection site for 2 days. Eight hours after getting the vaccine, I experienced chills, then sweats, fever, muscle and joint aches, and extreme exhaustion. These symptoms lasted 40 hours. This leaves me uninspired to get the 2nd vaccine, but I have come this far, so I suppose I will."

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am 53 years old - received my first Shingrix vaccination about 10 days ago. My upper arm was pretty sore for about 24 hours, but Advil helped with that. It kind of hurt to lay on that side for a few days. I also felt a little groggy and sleepy the next day. But other than that... no issues. My advice would be - get the injection right before the weekend that you have nothing planned in the event you're feeling out of it the next day. And get it in your non-dominant arm. My doctor had told me he sees people every day with shingles and how some of the cases are pretty bad. I don't typically get any kind of vaccines (no flu shots, etc.), but I wasn't going to skip this one. I'm fortunate - my insurance paid for the whole thing."

• Paa...
• September 2, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Got 2nd shot 8/30/19. Arm sore, flu-like for 3 days: 2 nights of severe sweats overnight. Tired. Slight headache. Temp up to 100.8; usually run 96. Very achy. Today is the 3rd day. Feel the most 'with it' 9/2 - so far."

• fun...
• December 14, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am 68 years old, and after watching several friends suffer through shingles and my mother having had debilitating post-herpetic syndrome, I was more than willing to get vaccinated. This vaccine is over 90% effective, after all. First shot, in August, I had a sore arm for a few days. The injection itself was painless. I had the second shot on November 25. Again, the injection was painless. I had a sore arm again.....but today is December 14, and my arm and shoulder still hurt. Not sure if it is a reaction to the vaccine or just sore joints from getting old. All I can say is that my shoulder didn't feel like this before November 25."

• bob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 13, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "With the first shingles shot, the only side effect was a very sore arm for 3 days. Had the second shot and had flu-like symptoms, fever, headache, face was red, chills, aches, and pains. Not good, but still would rather have the shot than shingles."

• Dan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 23, 2018

"Just got the 1st shot on Thursday after work. I was told to expect a sore arm and flu-like symptoms within 24 hours. That was spot on. I bought Theraflu and Advil. I took both on Thursday evening before symptoms started, and I think it helped lessen the pain. My neck is achy, and I have some congestion and a sore throat and am tired. Just rest and keep taking meds every 4 to 5 hours. I recommend getting the shot on a Thursday so there's time to rest up for 2 to 3 days if you're working, so not out. It is worth a few days of discomfort versus getting shingles. It is terribly painful!"

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Received the first shot yesterday, 5/22, at Walgreens. No side effects other than a sore arm until I went to bed about 10 p.m. I was unable to sleep the entire night and experienced chills, shaking, and a bad headache. I also had a pain in my upper abdomen that would come and go. I have never experienced any other significant side effects with any of the other vaccines I have received over my 66 years."

• Bre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "You know it is what it is. The first dose and the second dose made me feel the same way. Very sore arm, fever, chills, headache. Some of these reviews are so dramatic. I’ve seen people with shingles and it’s terrible, so if I have to suffer with a few days of discomfort, I’ll take it. Grow up, get the shots."

• Dre...
• March 18, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I received the first injection on Oct 16, 2020. My arm was mildly sore with no other problems. My second injection was on Jan 26, 2021. I had it in the early afternoon, and by that night I developed uncomfortable chills, a pounding headache, weakness, right-sided chest discomfort, and neck pain. I started having clay-colored stools for 2-3 days. I think it whacked my liver. The pounding headache continues. I went to the doctor, and he sent me to physical therapy, which hasn’t helped. He gave me pain meds, which caused constipation. The pounding headaches continue. The pain med makes it tolerable but returns in 4 hours. My joints hurt. I had an MRI on my neck. Anyway, I wish I had never had the vaccine, it put me into arthritis. Awful drug!!!"

• Jac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "51-year-old male. Here are the side effects after my 2nd shot: 0-12 hours: slightly sore arm. 12-18 hours: chills and muscle aches. 18-30 hours: fatigue. After 30 hours: feel normal except for slightly sore arm. Side effects were similar to 1st shot in timing and type. The difference was that their intensity was about 1/2 of what they were the first time around. I could have muddled through a day at work after the 2nd shot, but not the first shot."

• Txl...
• December 13, 2020

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "40-year-old female who developed a case of shingles at age 39. I have a history of seasonal allergies but am in good general health because I work out at the gym every day. I received my first dosage of the shingles vaccine on 10/11/20. My arm was quite sore, and I was exhausted for 1-2 days. I received the second dosage of the shingles vaccine yesterday, 12/12/20. I felt a sore arm within 2 hours. Last night, I had chills (I had to sleep with my winter coat on)...once the chills stopped, I developed a fever of 100.5 degrees. I had a fever all night. Tylenol helped with the fever, and my symptoms seemed to have resolved now. The shot is nothing to be scared of...I don't ever want shingles again, post-herpetic neuralgia, or shingles developing near my eye, so that's why I decided to get vaccinated even though I am underneath the recommended age."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 11, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "62-year-old male, experienced similar side effects with both the first and second dose. Arm sore around the injection site about 3 days. Otherwise fine for the first 6-10 hours and then experienced a strong headache and extreme exhaustion. Could not go to work the second day, struggled to go on the third. Symptoms then stopped at the end of three days. My wife had the same vaccine, and she only experienced a sore arm. In my case, it wiped me out both times."

• KVa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I received the first Shingrix shot on Monday at 1 pm. While getting the vaccination, I was told to take a deep breath and exhale as the serum was injected. I suppose that’s because it is quite painful, and I never have any difficulties with other shots. My arm is sore (it is now Wednesday), but I’ve had several reactions. I woke up in the middle of the night after the injection with severe pain in my back, neck, and feet. The following day, I was a little groggy. Today has been the worst: fever, muscle pain, intensely tired, and tingling sensations in my face. I took a shower and feel like things are getting better by early evening. Glad I was able to stay home and rest!"

• hot...
• May 10, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "After the 1st injection, my arm was pretty sore and took about 3-4 days to feel better. After the 2nd injection, the arm was sore in the evening, and the day after, I felt like a truck hit me! I'm feeling better the 2nd day after the injection. I guess in the long run, I'd better suffer for a few days instead of getting shingles and being in pain for who knows how long!"

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I got the shot on a Wednesday. On Thursday, I had chills, nausea, a fever of 101+, and a migraine. On Friday, I still have the headache and lethargy. I still have a sore arm, but I can take that. I’m DREADING getting the second dose. I didn’t know the side effects could be so severe, so I didn’t plan to be knocked completely off my feet."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am in reasonably good health and usually do not have severe reactions to vaccines. I took the first Shingrix shot 2 months ago and the second one 4 days ago. In both instances, I experienced a sore arm (slightly worse than a flu shot) for a couple of days, but I felt really tired the day after the shot. Other than the fatigue on the second day, I did not experience any other negative reactions. I gave the drug a score of 8 as it is hard to evaluate its effectiveness at this point."

• Ten...
• July 15, 2019

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am camped out on the sofa today, feeling wiped out. I received my first injection yesterday at 4:00. I am 68 and a type 1 diabetic. Previously, other than a very sore arm, I have never had a vaccine reaction like this before. I woke at 1 in the morning, having all the reactions the pamphlet mentioned. My throat is sore, and I have a terrible headache. It also made me urinate all night long. Not sure I want to take dose 2."

• AMP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Got my 2nd shingles injection 2 months after my first injection. Took Tylenol before getting both injections. 1st injection has sore arm, headache, not too bad. 2nd injection I had gotten a really sore arm right away and started feeling headache, sore, achy all over, and kinda dizzy and nauseous within a couple of hours. Had extremely sore joints and headaches for 3 days. I’ve had every immunization there is (from the military), and this by far was the worst one. But I would do it again if needed to avoid shingles!!!!"

• JBa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 14, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "The day after my first Shingrix dose, I had a fever, chills, headache, and felt generally lousy. The next day, I felt fine. I just had my second dose, and other than a sore arm, I feel well. I took some ibuprofen for the pain. It was a much easier experience than my first dose."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am a 57-year-old female. I got my first dose the week after Thanksgiving with only a low temperature of 100.3 or 100.4. On January 11th, I started with COVID-19 with minimal symptoms. After about a week, the symptoms were gone. A couple of days ago, I got my second shingles vaccine. My arm got sore, but the next day it was just a bit tender at the injection site. On the day after the injection, I had a temp of 100.3 and a light headache. As the day went on, I had fatigue. That evening, the fever broke and I had a bit of nausea and diarrhea. I went to bed and slept great. On the second day, all is good."

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I had the first dose 4/20/2018. The actual injection was pretty painless. I have to say that the side effects were a bit more than I expected. Very sore arm, feverish feeling (off and on hot flashes), fatigue, mild headache - all of which slowly dissipated after a couple of days. It was one of the tougher vaccinations I have had, but it was certainly tolerable. I am 64. I had shingles (mild case) at 39! Didn't want to get it again. I will get the 2nd dose as indicated."

• TGa...
• July 20, 2018

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Day 1) Injection was slightly uncomfortable, arm a little sore the rest of the day. Day 2) Woke up shivering and muscle achy-headachy, took temperature was 100.6 when I left for work. Took Advil and Tylenol throughout the day. Started to get allergy symptoms even though I take Montelukast and Allegra every day. Benadryl after work and went to bed early, tired and not feeling well. Day 3) No fever this morning, went to work and had a full-blown allergy attack! I had runny eyes, sneezing, coincidence? I couldn't focus on my computer completely non-productive, went home at lunch. Took Benadryl and napped, woke up with 101 temperature. Went to bed and stayed there until the next morning. Day 4) Writing this on the morning of Day 4. I have a red circle larger than a quarter 2 inches below the injection site, arm is still sore. No fever this morning, but checking it throughout the night, it stayed at around 100, got some good sleep. I am 59, I don't want shingles, I hope this vaccine prevents it!"

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2021

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "I am a healthy 50-year-old female who got the first Shingrix vaccine 3 days ago. No problems on day one, but I woke up the next morning with a mid-level headache, my arm was sore and hot to the touch, and the injection site ached across to shoulders/upper back. Unpleasant but not unbearable. I was tired. I took 2 Tylenol and went back to bed for a few hours. By late afternoon on day 2, I was feeling pretty okay. Shoulder pain was gone. Arm pain remains on day 3, but it is localized now to the injection site. I feel fine in every other respect. Reading these reviews, I am very scared to get a second shot, but getting shingles also sounds horrible. I feel strongly that pharmacists should prepare people for side effects and never recommend doubling up any vaccine with Shingrix. For the record, I had zero reaction to the J&J vaccine and just a sore arm for a day to my Pfizer booster."

• BoP...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2022

For Herpes Zoster, Prophylaxis "Received my shingles vaccine a few weeks ago. No side effects at all, except a minimally sore arm for two days. Just remember that people with good experiences are much less likely to leave a review. I had shingles 8 months ago. While it could have been much worse, it was pretty miserable. Just remember, if you don't get it, you're responsible for the decision. I reminded myself of that 50 times a day for 6 weeks. I'm glad I've made a decision to minimize my chances of a repeat."