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5 Most Alarming Flu Vaccine Side Effects Reported Recently

October 27, 2023 · Healthy Choices
Flu Vaccine Side Effect
Photo by Image Point Fr at Shutterstock

Specific flu shots for individuals over 65 years old

ACIP and CDC preferentially suggest the use of higher-dose flu vaccines, like Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine and Flublok Quadrivalent recombinant influenza vaccine, or adjuvanted flu vaccine, like Fluad Quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccine, over standard-dose unadjuvanted flu vaccines for individuals that are over 65 years old.

This recommendation is based on a review of available research, which indicate that, in this age group, these vaccines are more effective than other flu vaccines. Suppose one of these vaccines is unavailable when you wish to get the flu vaccine.

In that case, people in this age group should get a standard-dose unadjuvanted inactivated flu vaccine instead. Other flu vaccines are approved for use in people 65 or older.

Also, individuals in this age group should not get a nasal spray vaccine. And as always, be sure to contact your doctor if you experience any flu vaccine side effects.

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55 responses to “5 Most Alarming Flu Vaccine Side Effects Reported Recently”

  1. Pamela Spiker says:
    November 6, 2023 at 3:41 pm

    I love the Buckeyes !

    Reply
  2. Patricia Pallikan says:
    November 6, 2023 at 3:53 pm

    I was bruised from my shoulder to my elbow last year when I got my flu shot. I’m suppose to get my shot on Wednesday and hope it doesn’t happen again.

    Reply
  3. Patricia Frazier says:
    November 6, 2023 at 3:59 pm

    Good information, thank you.

    Reply
  4. Karen cadorette says:
    November 6, 2023 at 4:52 pm

    I got the flu shot.A few mins after the short i had some forearm pain.which was strange because ive never had it before.I had a low grade fever, headache,and body aches,with chills

    Reply
  5. Frederic says:
    November 6, 2023 at 5:19 pm

    I was wondering was it just me. I had a headaches and head pain that lasted several days as if it was more than that. It scared the hell out of me. It hurt to cough, sneeze or laugh, turn your neck etc.

    Reply
  6. Kathleen LaMountain says:
    November 6, 2023 at 8:16 pm

    Never had a problem….stiff shoulder for a day but kept rolling it around and it was fine.

    Reply
  7. Joyce Perry says:
    November 7, 2023 at 11:29 am

    Within an hour after getting the stronger flu vaccine ( I’m 81) I became very weak and light headed. Thought I would pass out. Tried driving home and felt disoriented . I think the vaccine was too strong and will ask for the lighter one next year.

    Reply
    • Stacey Applegate says:
      April 22, 2024 at 8:12 pm

      My mom said the same. Said senior dose was too much for her and made her feel ill.

      Reply
  8. Rena says:
    November 7, 2023 at 11:48 am

    Had enhanced flu shot oct. 10. Within an hour, started swelling, red, hot. By morning severe cellulitis from inside elbow to shoulder, put on Keflex 7 days, now 4 weeks passed, infection, gone after 2 weeks, still a little red. No reaction last year from shot.

    Reply
    • Sherri Connelly says:
      January 20, 2024 at 1:39 pm

      Hi good morning that is crazy you say that I know this has nothing to do with the vaccine I wonder if it has to do with the Needles because it got Cellulitis 5 different times in my arms from IV’s and Lab draws

      Reply
  9. M says:
    November 7, 2023 at 1:44 pm

    Never had a problem just a sore arm

    Reply
    • Nina says:
      December 5, 2023 at 12:26 am

      Me either. Just a sore arm.

      Reply
    • G. Mann says:
      January 20, 2024 at 12:49 pm

      Had the enhanced flu shot and immediately arm was very sore. Came down with fever and chills that evening. Terrible headache and sick for a week. Then two weeks later, came down with a bad case of covid. Took paxlovid and took a while to get my strength back. Never had a problem with flu shots in past.

      Reply
  10. LEELEE says:
    November 7, 2023 at 3:32 pm

    I got the Flu shot recently and had severe arm pain , bruising and swelling. It has been 2 months and now I still have pain from my deltoid to my elbow like arthritis pain off and on.

    Reply
    • COLETTE CRANE says:
      December 3, 2023 at 4:02 pm

      I received the high dose flu vaccine because I’m 71 yrs. old. It’s been about 3 months and I’m still having deltoid aching that will radiate into my shoulder and scapula. I didn’t notice any redness or swelling at the site just pain that won’t go away. So when I saw your post it really helped me think I wasn’t crazy. I thought maybe I had pulled a muscle some how. So thank you!

      Reply
  11. Linda Johnson says:
    November 7, 2023 at 4:28 pm

    Is it possible to develop edema in lower extremities after receiving the +65 flu shot? First year I have received this particular type of flu shot and first time I have had any problems.

    Reply
    • Janice L. RANEY says:
      January 22, 2024 at 11:59 am

      Me too. Plus painful muscle spasms in my back for 2 weeks, and no sleep.
      I am done with vaccines.

      Reply
      • Doris McCurry says:
        April 22, 2024 at 12:15 pm

        I got the flu shot few years back and I got the flu,never got another.

        Reply
      • Evelyn Kean says:
        April 24, 2024 at 5:48 am

        👍👍👍👍👍 listening to all these problems n side effects that people are posting makes me glad I have not and never will get a flu shot. (n CERTAINLY won’t touch the Covid “vaccine ” ).
        ……..I’m 72 😉

        Reply
  12. Candy Frankel says:
    November 7, 2023 at 7:21 pm

    I got the flu shot and RSV shot in different arms on the same day. No problems. I got the COVID booster a couple of weeks later. My arm became red, swollen and itchy!? An allergic reaction? Bad batch of COVID vaccine? Bad injection technique?
    Candy Frankel

    Reply
    • Syl says:
      December 4, 2023 at 8:56 pm

      The doses get stronger with each booster. It’s like playing Russian roulette with any shot including kids shots

      Reply
  13. Immaculate Ogonji says:
    November 8, 2023 at 12:42 pm

    My son and I had a flu short in 2005. While I had the milder symptoms that didn’t keep me from work, my son who was 11 years old was super sick the next day. Had to take him to see a physician. He recovered, but developed an egg size lymphatic nodule between that shoulder and neck region that persists to date at 32 years old. He has since refused to take the flu vaccine ever again.
    I also stopped taking the yearly doses in 2015 because it caused me a full blown infections. I would be out of work for upto 5 days each time with severe flu symptoms. So I got an exception note each year after that.

    Reply
  14. Janet Mullett says:
    November 8, 2023 at 3:05 pm

    very sore arm and a real bad headache that afternoon and even woke me up at night hurting.Had both shots covid and flu the same time. Never had a problem with either before. Will not get both at same time next time.

    Reply
    • Topkat says:
      December 4, 2023 at 9:48 pm

      I had a bad headache for almost a week after this last civid shot. I never had that before. Didn’t get the flu shot. I never had one but l never had the flu

      Reply
  15. Claudia Jane Linton says:
    November 8, 2023 at 5:40 pm

    My Mother, received the Flu shot in the late 80s while living in St. Louis a suburb. With watching what she went through, I or my extended family refuse the flu shot. We evidently have had luck on our side because not one of us have had the flu or even Covid19. I know many would argue regarding the shot but we saw way too much sadness.

    Reply
    • Tori says:
      December 4, 2023 at 2:45 pm

      You are clearly one of the more intelligent people out there. I wish more people did their homework on these vaccines. Don’t get them. It’s all about the $$$ I’m a nurse and I was told from my company back in the 90’s that the flu vaccines were worthless. You can’t possibly capture all the viruses in one dose. It’s just a $$ money maker for the pharmaceutical industry. I think people are programmed to take these annually. As for the Covid vaccine I have several physician friends who said do not take Covid vaccine and I’m so glad we did not. I’ve heard too many horror stories from folks who have taken it. You have to do lots of research. Read lots of different articles from different sources to make your own decision that’s best for you.

      Reply
  16. Michelle Moran says:
    November 9, 2023 at 9:18 am

    I got a flu shot yesterday felt light headed wanted to throw up arm hurt bad and still does left leg hurts bad my neck swelled a little that went away and I have a headache and neck pain sneezing and off and on voice sounds like when I have cold or sick I have never had a problem with the flu shot before If these things keep bothering me or don’t go away after few days going to my doctor because worrying me some. this is the one I received Flu (Inactivated)

    Vaccine administered:
    AFLURIA QUAD 2023-24 (3YR UP)

    Reply
  17. Johnny McBeth says:
    November 14, 2023 at 9:04 pm

    I had both the flu and Covid booster, one in each arm, at the same time, 11-9-23. I barely felt either shot and had no problem at all, not even sore arm. I’m 70 years old have had all Covid shots and take my yearly flu and have never had a problem. One of the lucky ones I suppose.

    Reply
  18. Jannette says:
    November 20, 2023 at 7:02 pm

    What is wrong with you???? You are Romanian???? And you say that vaccines are good/safe???? And then you post so many comments of adverse reactions???? Of lies of variants????
    Wake up!!!! Romanians are smarter than this!!!! It is beneath Romanians to read this drivel!!!! Do you not know about the global elitist’s agenda???? Or are you in bed with them????

    Reply
  19. Jean Stone says:
    December 2, 2023 at 9:53 pm

    I can’t believe anyone would take a vaccine with the pharmaceutical Tyranny in this country. They have announced they plan to put the spike proteins in all vaccines now and are no longer doing efficacy studies. How many people have to die from these dangerous things before you idiots wake up. The WEF has stated they want to eliminate 10-50 million people From the planet using vaccines. Are you just going to let them do it?

    Reply
  20. Cynthia says:
    December 3, 2023 at 3:27 pm

    If you’re subjecting yourself to what you might think is to help you but it actually hurts you (causing serious side effects) then maybe your body is trying to tell you something….like it’s not needed or wanted!
    Trust your God given immune system!!

    Reply
    • Sue says:
      April 21, 2024 at 2:34 pm

      Exactly, these humans are lining up for this stuff like sheep’s going to slaughter!!

      Reply
  21. Janet Weiss says:
    December 3, 2023 at 7:04 pm

    I had the higher-dose flu shot last week administered at my doctor’s office. Felt painless and I had no reaction at all. I also got a pneumococcal vaccine injection in the other arm. Boy did that hurt! And it continued to hurt (as in interfering with sleep) for a week! My arm is better now but now I plan to refuse all non-recombinant RNA or DNA vaccines. I am over 65 and read a lot of the medical literature. We have the tools to practice 21st century medicine. Why aren’t we – especially in the country with the most expensive medical costs in the world?

    Reply
  22. Laura Hammel says:
    December 3, 2023 at 7:07 pm

    I got the flu shot this year n my arm got swollen and red. Next day runny nose, cough n headache. Cough git worse and developed into bronchitis. Still on antibiotic n feeling better.

    Reply
  23. Shirley Johnson says:
    December 3, 2023 at 7:45 pm

    Just a little sore for a day but nothing else. Better safe to have the shot . then sorry I say.

    Reply
  24. Jorga popanz says:
    December 3, 2023 at 9:18 pm

    I had flu shots and RSV shot, I am 85 yrs old no problems I also had all of the covid shots like six of them. Was fine except for last one. I had diarrhea for a week lost 6 pounds. Runny nose and itching. Finally stopped. I will put up with something like this or swelling or sick for a week whatever as long as I can breathe good and don’t end up in hospital. All four of my kids and their families had all the covid shots and flu shots and had no problems. They r all in their fifties and sixties and their kids in their thirties.

    Reply
    • Gigi Gibbons says:
      April 22, 2024 at 12:30 am

      Good luck.

      Reply
  25. Mike B says:
    December 3, 2023 at 10:34 pm

    I got both the FLU and COVID shots.
    No side effects besides some minor arm tenderness for 3 or 4 days.
    I get the FLU shots every year. never had a problem.

    Reply
  26. Adelaide Formisano says:
    December 4, 2023 at 1:06 am

    I had the senior flu shot 3 weeks ago.I’m 80 & get the flu shot every year.This year about 30 min.after shot I was driving home all of a sudden I got extremely tired.Thank God I don’t live far.Got into house sat in a chair & fell sound asleep. Sleep for 2 days & was veryyyy achey. I

    Reply
  27. Barbara says:
    December 4, 2023 at 6:05 am

    > had the flu vaccine over two weeks ago for older adults. My arm became so sore shortly after that I could hardly touch it or raise my arm! I had really bad body aches for two days and literally had no energy to even walk. My energy is better, but I am concerned about my arm. It is still sore and is painful to raise my arm.
    >A week and a half later I had my pneumonia vaccine. Very sore arm, and difficulty raising my arm after 5 days. Felt bad the first day only. Never had these severe of reactions from either.
    >Want the RSV vaccine, but very concerned. Ruled out having another Covid vaccine, d/t the after effects I had after the 3rd booster. I believe vaccines are needed, however every one is different, and should be assessed that way.

    Reply
  28. Jamie Dickerson says:
    December 4, 2023 at 6:07 am

    I received my flu shot on Thursday and both of my calves have tightened up so bad I can’t hardly walk like Atrophy( I think is the word). I’ve never experienced side effects from the flu shot. I’m 58 years old.

    Reply
  29. Catheribe perry says:
    December 4, 2023 at 2:12 pm

    I also began with reactions to the flu shot in 2015. Being an RN I had to take the flu shot yearly. Never had a reaction until 2015. The next year I took it agin and became sicker. The last year I had the flu shot was 2017 which caused severe flu symptoms that scared me. That did it, never again! Haven’t had the flu since. Not even a cold.

    Reply
  30. Mirtala Smith says:
    December 15, 2023 at 9:45 am

    I had the flu shot,and I start feeling like presure was going up tru by my chest up then start trembling more and more blood presure higher. The dr send me to the emergency, about 4 hours finally start feeling better, headache the rest of the day. Very scary.

    Reply
  31. Lorenzo Sr. says:
    January 20, 2024 at 11:19 am

    Hello! I just turn 65 and I have never had a flue shot, always fought the flue the old fashioned way. Sweat it out, rest, Vicks NyQuil & a strong immune system.
    Bless from up above.
    During Covid did take the mandatory 2 shots, first shot was no issue no affects experience. 2 shot was same amount as the first 0.3 mL, but the injection technique was very unprofessional. Left arm was sore for over a year. It took me lots of working it out to get my left shoulder back to normal.

    Reply
  32. james says:
    January 20, 2024 at 3:17 pm

    I recieved 2 covids shots after the second shot in March I got a bloody nose in April out of nowhere never had a bloody nose before at all all my life, I had to go to the hospital to have it stopped a reaction from the shots never got them again. and I had no bloody noise again.

    Reply
  33. Vanessa C. says:
    January 20, 2024 at 3:36 pm

    I hade a flu shot in November , I’m congested and sore throat all the time

    Reply
  34. Karla Tackett says:
    January 20, 2024 at 6:29 pm

    I won’t ever take another flu shot! I took mine and that night I noticed my feet were numb. Next day it worked its way up to my thighs. On the next morning it was up to my waist. I went to the ER and was in the hospital for four days. I had taken flu shots for 30 years with no issues. It took 30 days for me to get my full feeling back.

    Reply
  35. Norma E says:
    January 21, 2024 at 3:43 pm

    I do not get seasonal flu vaccines and have never had the seasonal flu. After pressure from a few friends, and from paying too much attention to misinformation in the media (and Dr. Fauci) I got the first two COVID vaccines. I had no side effects but many of my friends did, and those side effects were severe, scary and long lasting. That was it for me…no more. I am 78 years old and I work hard to stay healthy and maintain a strong immune system. That, I believe, is the key.

    Reply
  36. Diane Eddins says:
    January 22, 2024 at 1:40 am

    My husband got GBS after a flue shot. Paralyzed him from the neck down. Was in icu twice and vented twice. After 6 weeks he was able to start rehabilitation. Took 3 months before he could barely walk. He passed away three years later . Personally I don’t and will never take any vaccines.

    Reply
  37. Donald Kennedy says:
    January 26, 2024 at 6:07 am

    I received multiple strains of flu vaccine annually while in the military from 1968-1981 and frequently was very sick afterwards as were others I knew. However, I haven’t had a flu vaccination since leaving active duty and have rarely had anything like the vaccine induced illness from the flu vaccines either (yes that’s over 40 years ago.). I ‘ve traveled the world professionally since and had many, many other vaccines without a problem or encountering serious illness. I had three Covid 19 vaccines. The last one caused severe inflammation in my right shoulder two weeks after receiving it. Took six months before I was able to use my arm normally. No more Covid vacs. I rarely get sick and have never had Covid despite being around people who had it, but I am reasonably careful and don’t mind wearing a mask if I feel uncomfortable in a social situation. In my opinion, a good mask is very effective in preventing disease.

    Reply
  38. Cd says:
    March 24, 2024 at 12:17 pm

    I have t1d and epilepsy. Doctors always asked me to get vaccine. But three years in a row the vaccine caused blood sugar levels to fluctuate to dangerous lows and highs as well as numerous seizures. Since I stopped getting the vaccine I have not had a flu, levels are better, and seizures are rare.

    Reply
  39. Robert Hill says:
    March 24, 2024 at 4:27 pm

    i am nit taking any covid boosters ever,, had heath problems from it like psoriasis,, edema,, high AnA blood count etc. Never have i had any symptoms like these before

    Reply
  40. Valorie Reed says:
    March 27, 2024 at 7:48 am

    So much they don’t really know. The last flu shot I received (in Dec 2018) ended up promoting what is called PMR in my body. It is the most painful autoimmune disease I wish upon no one. I have Fybromyalgia, for the last 28 years. Which is a nerve issue. PMR attacks the muscles. The pain was so severe, so constant that for almost a full year I got very little sleep. It was treated with high doses of prednisone. You plump up to unrecognizable sizes, you’re still in pain and you just pray for it to heal you. After almost 2 full years they switched me to Hydroxichloriquin which helped to take it into remission. I will NEVER get another flu OR ever a COVID shot. These are poison to my body. So no!! They are not without harm. I’ve had COVID, 3 different strains. The first being horrific. And I’ve had the regular flu, not COVID flu 2 different times. If rather have the flu of any kind than suffer that pain even again!!

    Reply
  41. Rick says:
    April 23, 2024 at 9:57 am

    With the current State of the State,…. and big Pharma, I wont get another vaccine !,…. yeah This old guys Doctor is pissed off, side Effects mentioned are what they { ADMIT TO Not all that have been reported }

    And if there are fatalities in/From the shot they will not be admitted to by the government or Big Pharma they WILL be swept under the rug.

    When I was a Child vaccines were a New and great thing, TB was being eradicated, Polio was on the down-swing ( I knew Kids that had it, pools and theaters were trying to recover from the closures ) flu was on the rise but no vaccine existed, measles were on the downswing, mumps and rubella as well as, chicken pox were around,…. And I do remember multi use needles ( they were sterilized and resharpened and put back in service ), Quinine, was still around because malaria was still around,…. But Now all the Illness that WAS Eradicated is being re-Introduced By the Government in the form of Open Borders,…. and if there is a flaw in the Current/new vaccine, or it was not Tested thoroughly , ” ohh it could Not have been From our vaccine”,…. and there IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY, No recourse,…. ( I have had the Covid-19 Created by our, And the Chinese, Governments 6 times now, After Vaccination each year until 2023 )

    Reply
  42. Barbara Joan Alexander, RN says:
    October 15, 2025 at 12:29 am

    None of these replies mean anything this year. They are all from 2023 & 2024. The flu and Covid vaccines are changed each year to best match what is expected to be the current viruses for that year. Also the most likely folks to report their experiences are those who had negative results.
    I am a nurse and routinely get my flu and now Covid shots every year. This year I didn’t even get a sore arm. Some years I do have soreness or a stiff muscle in my arm. It depends on the make up of the vaccine for that year. Vaccines are life savors and no one should be spreading horror stories about them. Everyone should consult their own physician if they have questions.

    Reply

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