Two days ago (on Sunday) I got the updated 2025-2026 covid vaccine. It happened to be Pfizer.
I had thought about trying to get Novavax this year, since I had better luck with it in regards to side effects, but given the chaos and confusion created by anti-vaxxer RFK Jr. and his fellow anti-vaxxer cronies, I decided it would be best to get whatever vaccine I can, as soon as I can, in case vaccine access actually gets worse under this administration.
Here in MA, due to state laws, originally even pharmacies weren't able to administer the new covid vaccine, though CVS Minute Clinics could, because they are governed by the state Department of Public Health, not the state pharmacy board. (PCPs are always authorized to give covid vaccines, but in recent years, my PCP's office has directed patients to commercial pharmacies.)
I went ahead and scheduled an appointment for myself, my husband, and my son at the closest CVS Minute Clinic. In order to be eligible according to the FDA's new politically motivated restrictions, I had to attest that we all have a high-risk condition. My husband legitimately qualifies, and I had no qualms clicking "yes" because my cardiologist said I qualify. I felt a little weird clicking "yes" for my son - because I'm generally a rule-follower - but with the American Academy of Pediatrics saying that any kid whose parents want them to get vaccinated should be vaccinated, and with widespread encouragement for people to get vaccinated any way they can, I ultimately felt justified.
Luckily, the issue became moot because, as it turned out, the same day I made our appointments, MA Governor Maura Healey issued an order allowing pharmacies to administer the covid vaccine and also making all people over age 5 eligible despite federal restrictions! I'm so relieved, thankful, and proud to live in MA!!
(My daughter got covid in August, so we're following recommendations - which are still based on science - to wait 3 months, and we'll just have to hope the covid vaccines will still be accessible in November.)
Anyway. So I got the shot Sunday morning at a CVS Minute Clinic. Almost immediately the area around the shot started to feel sore and achy. Before we even left the store, the achiness had spread through my left shoulder just up to my neck. I went about my day as usual. By mid-afternoon, my entire left arm down to my wrist felt heavy, and my upper arm was painful if touched. By early evening, I felt wicked tired. None of this was particularly surprising, as I tend to get a lot of side effects from mRNA vaccines.
Overnight, my whole body got achy, and I slept very poorly. All day yesterday, I felt lethargic, moved sluggishly, and my upper left arm hurt even when not touched. I cancelled plans to go grocery shopping, spent the day in bed with a small headache and low-grade fever, and made sure to stay hydrated.
Today, after a full night's sleep, I'm mostly recovered. The only remaining side effect is that my upper left arm still hurts a bit.
Incidentally, both my husband and son only had a bit of upper arm soreness at the injection site, no other side effects.
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