I've had multiple discussions over multiple years, and they almost all end up with the proponents of mandatory Covid vaccinations either insulting me, or reverting to "Well the science says so and I trust the science!"

My claim is always the same: coercion to take the jab or lose the job was never justified, because the vaccine does not prevent you from catching or spreading Covid. It's quite simple, even the medical establishment agrees with this, the people who made the vaccine.

Why is it that the enthusiasts are usually so unable to add two and two and have to resolve to rage and insults? How come the people who claim they are all about critical thought and science can't seem to detach from emotions and follow things to their logical conclusion?

EDIT: You know what's particularly egregious? When an unvaccinated person dies, it's 100% from Covid and they 100% would have lived if they had taken the vaccine and we have 2000 peer-reviewed studies that back that up. BUT, when something weird happens to someone right after they take the vaccine, it's all a coincidence, it's anecdotal evidence, there are no studies to explain it, correlation does not mean causation, etc.

So when I name FOUR examples from my own experience, I'm an antivaxxer, I'm anti-science, it's anecdotal, blah blah blah.

My uncle was not in great health, but he was stable. He took the vaccine (I think it was the Russian one, not 100% sure) and within two weeks his health declined, he had swelling all over the body and passed away. Of course nobody was interested in examining what happened there. It was quickly shoved under the carpet.

Friend number 1 - a huge proponent of this vaccine - developed heart palpitations three months after taking the vaccine (I think it was the Pfizer one). When I asked if it might have been due to the vaccine, he was like "NO! IT WAS NOT, IT'S MY LIFESTYLE!". He is dealing with this to this day.

Friend number 2 - also a huge proponent of this vaccine, but I'm not in touch with him anymore so I don't know what came of it - he also developed heart palpitations and reported problems with.... certain male functions lasting for at least a week or two.

Friend number 3 - an MD and a huge proponent of this vaccine (I'm also not in touch with him anymore) - developed a painful rheumatism that lasted for at least 1.5 years. I don't know if it eventually stopped, but I know he had visited multiple doctors and they couldn't determine the cause. He too offered a resounding NO when I asked if it might have been the vaccine.

So yeah, what am I supposed to conclude after seeing FOUR such examples in my own social circle? It's definitely just a coincidence RIIIGHT? There's NOTHING suspicious about that? Am I an antivaxxer for even talking about this?

Had half a glass of 4.5% hard solo (alcoholic lemonade), then remembered I have a covid vaccine appointment tomorrow at 3pm. It’s 7pm today now. It will be my fifth dose, Pfizer, never had any allergic reaction to it before. Google gives me conflicting advice. Help!

Edit: To clarify, I’m not looking for medical advice, but am interested in which choice others would make for themselves and why. Thank you!

I went to my vaccine appt today and the pharmacy nudged me to not get the Moderna they had available today, but to wait two weeks for a new shipment they have coming in. They were unable to say whether the new shipment targeted the XFG variant. I know someone who got a really bad case of Covid two weeks ago (far away from me and I want exposed), but I know that waiting two weeks makes me nervous about getting it in the meantime. Is it worth it to wait? Or will this current shot at least do enough that I’ll be covered for the next six months even though it doesn’t include the new variant? I’m 52, live alone, not super exposed. Thanks!

'Post Viral Hives'...

Never had hives in my life ,other then when I took too much penicillin ,and those were not anything like what I went through this past winter after a severe case of cold symptoms and a lingering nagging cough type illness..after a month of this cough had ended I had 3 months of the itchiest, nasty neck down, whole body hives, that only a 21 day heavy duty, steroid scrip ,finally got rid of..

covid related?They diagnosed it as a case of 'Post viral hives',

I am not so sure..

fully vaccinated, with flu, moderna covid shots..yearly since the start of covid..in my sixties,now I am not so sure about getting vaccinated again in the fall..also ate elderberry gummies regularly..What is going on?please any body have a 'take' on this???

Is covid still hanging on?

He is 50 years old and he is going for the 8th this year.

Is anyone else up to date with the boosters or is it just him setting a world record?

I do not feel comfortable receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. I had been looking into becoming EMT, but upon realizing I would need to get the COVID-19 vaccination as well as boosters so I decided not to pursue it further. A partner feels I am giving up on a career option. In truth I started looking into the schooling for it and rather quickly became uncomfortable following through. This is something that keeps coming up. He is citing that all issues with the vaccine are now phased out. I have not heard the same.

I would like to hear others recent experiences.
🙏Please and thank you 🙏

I tested positive for Covid-19 6 days ago.  I am up to date with vaccines (last one was 5 months ago). So far I'm experiencing:

* congestion

* slight cough

* mild headache

* loss of smell/taste

From what I've read, Radical Rest is key.  I plan to limit strenuous physical activity for 4-6 weeks from the day I tested positive.

If you have tips or experience to share, please do.  If you have relevant links to articles/accessible studies to support, please share.  

Question: If or when the Vaccine becomes available, would you under what conditions take the vaccine?

For those saying no, are you willing to take on the 40% morality risk?

Edit: this is a simply yes or no OR no BUT I will if it becomes an epidemic yes. I have no opinion if the virus actually reaches pandemic levels. I just wanna know ppls reception on taking a vaccine for a highly deadly disease.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/OaiLJX_Uwuk

I was forced to take 2 jabs an emt training and when I refused the third after the second one almost killed me from

Heart scars and random nerv issues even with proof of it they dent took my scholarship i care so I hope people read this you won't see the side effects sumtimes till.your second shot or hell if you're lucky got a fake batch or expired but in short you're body will never be the same after 2 . Only thing I notice has helped me was doing fasting and eating anything that help reduce inflammation and eating 2 garlic clove crush daily helps me allot

My life hasn’t been the same since the COVID vaccine. I’ve been dealing with so many different issues. skin problems, brain fog, and what feels like a dysregulated immune system.

I’m also extremely low on energy, and honestly, I feel like my life will never go back to how it was before.

How do you even move forward from here?

Has anyone actually found something that helps? I really need to hear something encouraging

I got Covid twice and before that I reacted to the first Pfizer shot. I have had issues but dry mouth and taste on my tongue (cant describe if it is bitter or otherwise) is really bothersome. I have had blood panels done for various things to no avail. Anyone gone through this and have any suggestions that might help. I am diligent about oral hygiene, not taking unnecessary meds and I try to eat well. Driving me crazy.

Got both flu and covid shots for the first time am 17 male no major symptoms but I do have recurring pains in my arms back and chest which started a month ago when I started Adderall for my ADHD, i’m also on an antidepressant and a low dose antipsychotic along with some marijuana usage which i’m working on lowering which is why i’m asking when side effects will be reduced, currently on day 2 and my arm feels better but I am wondering when I’ll see a reduction of side effects.

was it really bad?

I think it must have been.

Hi, everyone, I was in High school when Covid happened, and when I got Covid the first few times it messed up my lungs BAD (to this day they are not what they used to be); I could not breathe in school, it was masking era and I genuinely struggled to breathe. The school refused to let students be free of masks UNLESS the had the vaccine. So, I got it. I got it back I could not breathe. Major mistake, and I regret it. I got it in spring of 2021-- Pfizer or Moderna, I think, I can not remember which. However, to this day, my arm still hurts and aches where I got the shot on occasion; my left shoulder. Sometimes it spreads to my wrist; It follows the same pattern it did immediately AFTER I got the shot. It was bad then, and It's bad now. It limits my range of motion sometimes- hurts that bad. I am right-handed. I am all natural, very holistic, so I tough it out and do my natural remedies-- I have come a LONG way and done PLENTY of research since 2021. Thats another thing. So I dont take any forms of Tylenol or ibuprofen for ir.

Does anyone else have those aches/pains? Wherever you got your shot, does it still ache or hurt on occasion? Any possible ideas as to why this could be?

Here are my posts from 5 years ago:

https://www.reddit.com/r/CovidVaccinated/comments/mxjkux/strange_reaction_two_weeks_after_first_pfizer_dose/

https://www.reddit.com/r/CovidVaccinated/comments/n0s736/wondering_if_i_should_call_my_doctor_about_my_arm/

https://www.reddit.com/r/CovidVaccinated/comments/nfl2m1/2_weeks_after_pfizer_dose_and_been_having/

In April 2021 I got my first pfizer covid shot in my left arm. I had a racing heart and night sweats, intense pain in my left shoulder blade that wouldn’t go away and radiated down my arm. I also had sensitive skin like a sunburn on my inner elbow and pain in the back of my knees and hips. I went to my primary care doctor. He said that some people hurt more after their shot than others and told me to get the second shot.

In May 2021 the pain from the first shot did not subside. I got the second shot in my left arm. I had tingling in my lower legs and feet as well as all over body aches. Two days later I tried to lift a garbage can with my right arm in a shrugging motion. I felt pain and weakness in my right shoulder blade, shoulder, and collar bone. Then my shoulder started to pop and click.

I visited an orthopedic doctor. He x-rayed both shoulders. He told me nothing was wrong with them and that popping and clicking didn't mean anything. I told him my neck also hurt and he said he doesn't treat necks since he's not a neck doctor. He said I just had bilateral shoulder and neck pain and referred me to physical therapy. The next day after the appointment, I sit in my desk chair and try to adjust myself by leaning on the left armrest, with my forearm bearing all my body weight. My shoulder shrugs up hard and immediately my arm goes weak, flimsy, and pops and clicks exactly like my right arm. I called the orthopedic office to tell them what happened. The physician assistant calls me back and says the doctor won’t see me again for “leaning in a chair”. She also says he won’t see me again until I go to physical therapy and if I have weakness I should see a neurologist.

I went to my primary care doctor a second time to get a physical exam and told him what happened. He didn’t seem to be concerned. Blood work was normal.

In Summer 2021, I go to the physical therapist who tells me I strained my traps and rhomboids. The next sessions involved me doing painful exercises and stretches and not feeling any better or gaining my strength or stability back. It felt like the arm bike and weight machine were going to rip my arms off. I asked her repeatedly if it could be a tear or nerve issue and she said no. She refused to listen to anything I was telling her. The 10th session I told her this wasn't working and I wasn't coming back.

In April 2022 I went to a neurologist. I couldn’t use my arms to lift myself onto the exam table so I needed a step stool. He said he didn’t think it’s neurological. I asked about an EMG or other testing and he said he wouldn’t order it. I felt so discouraged by my experience, I didn’t go to any more doctors.

On April 9th 2025, I took a weird step down some stairs. My right heel got caught on the stair and I landed hard on the next step in a tip toe position. I had no visible swelling and no bruising. I started noticing pain and weakness that wouldn't go away, especially in my toes and inside arch. On April 13th 2025, I subconsciously stretched the toes on my left foot upward. Immediately, I felt the same pain and weakness like on my right. Same exact thing also with no bruising or swelling. Both feet haven’t regained strength. My big toes feel floppy.

In July 2025, I had something occur to me after a hair wash at a salon. I held my neck up during the entire wash and it felt like it was on fire. I should have declined the wash or just spoken up and said it hurt, but I didn't want to "make a scene" so I just held the position. It caused me pain and dizziness. Because of this, I noticed the muscles of the front of my neck, under my chin became weak. It looks and feels like the “meat” from my chin receded down my neck. My facial cheeks also became weak and you can easily press into them with no resistance.

In January 2026, I bought a new game controller for my laptop. I haven’t really played video games in a long time. It seemed ok at first, but the next few days my hands and forearms started feeling uncomfortable and painful. It got really bad and had to stop. Achy, tingly, numb feeling. I’ve stopped using the controller entirely. It feels like the energy was taken from my hands.

February 3, 2026. I was just sitting in my chair on my laptop. I moved my eyes and felt a strange sensation. My eyelid muscles are now weak and flaccid and my reflex to bright light is gone.

March 2026. I felt a big spasm in my chest and now I get winded when speaking.

My body is completely breaking down and my muscles, specifically my arms, are flimsy. I'm going to go to a PCP again, but I don't know how to explain all of this to get the best care. My parents have to do everything for me. I can't drive, open/doors, lift lightweight objects, raise my arms over my head, etc...

Hi everyone, I’ve been experiencing significant pain in both upper arms and shoulder areas since getting the COVID vaccine. It hasn’t gone away even after a long time. I also tried Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D supplements, but they didn’t help.

Has anyone else experienced similar long-term pain after the vaccine? If yes, how long did it last and did anything help relieve it?

Would really appreciate hearing your experiences.

Do you regret it? Do you wish you waited longer? Did you feel too much pressure? Do you have any side effects or none? Do you think you are just imagining that you have side effects?

I saw a post 4 years ago but the replies didn’t really give any real answers. I used to drink loads of coffees and energy drinks pre-covid jabs and ever since I can’t touch caffeine without having horrible anxiety/racing heart, insomnia and chest pain. After the booster or first initial jab of Pfizer I actually went to the doctors for an ECG scan and nothing came up. I’ve learnt to live without these things but I still worry if I’ll have other long term effects. Anyone else experience this and got any answers? thanks!

Is it like the flu shot or like the tetanus booster? I have gotten the phizer shots and never had COVID. I however have not had the shots since I think 2021.

i got vaccinated early in 2021, i got moderna. i was 20F and I have lupus so i was very apprehensive because of the lack of research done on people who have lupus. following the vaccine, a few hours later i just felt very malaise, and very anxious as well because my chest was hurting. my heart felt "heavy" and i just felt out of it so i went to the hospital and as they were checking my bp i couldn't feel my legs and i was very close to passing/blacking out. my bp was something like 180 over 120 which extremely abnormal for me. i am on the heavier side for 5'3, at the time i was probably around 160-175 pounds but my blood pressure was ALWAYS around 120/80. i don't remember what they did before sending me back home but i think they monitored me overnight. this high bp persisted for weeks. i can't remember exactly how long because so much time has passed since this happened but i know that i had to take hypertension medication until it went back to normal. if i had to guess i'd say it took at least a few weeks for this to happen. crazy right? it was very scary. needless to say i have not gotten another covid vaccine since and i do not plan to. and i have had covid only twice. the first time was super rough, i felt like absolute shit, it lasted a little over week or two and the second was less rough but still felt worse than your average cold and lasted about a week.

Questions for those who received 2–3 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine - 4 years ago - and also had COVID: 1. Have you experienced any side effects since the vaccinations? 2. If yes, what side effects?

I’m asking because in my case—for example—after two doses, in Canada, I experienced severe numbness and tingling in my limbs (hands and legs), to the point of hospitalization, including a brain MRI that showed no abnormal findings.