My 24 yr old daughter rang me in distress two days ago..
chest tightness fever shivering she had had the AZ vaccine 6 hours prior..
I am very sorry that your daughter was distressed.
Those are the classic symptoms of an immune system fever - a very common (20%?) side effect of all the COVID vaccines, also of Flu vaccine.
You would expect it to be worse for the COVID vaccines (and it is worse) because we have no previous immunity (well some minimal T-cell from previous CVs maybe - but young people less likely that. Young people also tend to have more active immune systems). So it is a peril of being young, and worse than other vaccines because the virus is less familiar to our immune systems. Which I guess I don't need to tell you.
Your daughter's symptoms in this case were textbook normal, and as described in the pamphlet everyone gets given (NHS description below, other countries add to this that more than 1 in 10 people experience fever. Given old people tend not to, I'd reckon 1 in 5 of 24 year olds should expect it))
Side effects of the coronavirus vaccines
It’s normal to experience side effects after the vaccine. It shows the vaccine is teaching your body’s immune system how to protect itself from the disease, however not everyone gets them.
Most of these are mild and short term. They may include:
- having a painful, heavy feeling and tenderness in the arm where you had your injection
- headache or muscle ache
- joint pain
- chills
- nausea or vomiting
- feeling tired
- fever (temperature above 37.8°C).
You may also have flu-like symptoms with episodes of shivering and shaking for a day or two.
Fever after the coronavirus vaccine
It’s quite common to develop a fever after a vaccination. This normally happens within 48 hours of the vaccination and usually goes away within 48 hours.
I know many young people (18 - 23) who have had symptomatic COVID. Most are knocked out for a week, worse than Flu, and don't feel great for a few weeks after One (age 22) died. Some will have asymptomatic COVID, but in that case they have minimal immunity and will get it again.
I also know many who have had the vaccine - it knocks some of them out for 24 hours typically.
Up to 48 hours fever - due to the immune system responding - is a price worth paying.
In comparison - the rather less detailed list of Flu vaccine side effects - again from NHS
Flu vaccine side effects
Flu vaccines are very safe. All adult flu vaccines are given by injection into the muscle of the upper arm.
Most side effects are mild and only last for a day or so, such as:
- slightly raised temperature
- muscle aches
- sore arm where the needle went in – this is more likely to happen with the vaccine for people aged 65 and over
Try these tips to help reduce the discomfort:
- continue to move your arm regularly
- take a painkiller, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen – some people, including those who are pregnant, should not take ibuprofen unless a doctor recommends it
THH