Hello, I’m Mamington, a working mom of three.
I have finally received my second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination on 7/19. Although symptoms differ for each and every individual, I have been hearing that the second dose of moderna vaccine causes high fever and was no doubt a little afraid. As predicted, my fever went as high up as 40 degrees, which is not a level that I experience frequently in my life. It was TOUGH, although I am glad that I am vaccinated and that it is all over now.
Below is a record of my vaccination and symptoms.
- Subject person (myself, Mamington): Japanese, around 40 years old, body temperature 36.1, no chronic illnesses, not pregnant
- Vaccine type: Takeda/Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
- Place of vaccination: Vaccine center within the office building that I work in
- Vaccine methodology: 0.5mL intramuscular injection on the arm
Timeline of my vaccination and side effects:
| 7/19 | 14:00 | Arrived at the vaccine center, check-in |
| 14:10 | Vaccine injection, no major pain | |
| 14:30 | Stayed at the center for 15-20 mins, no major changes in symptoms until the evening | |
| 19:00 | Slight arm ache, struggle to change into my PJs | |
| 23:00 | Other than the slight arm ache, no major changes in symptoms | |
| 7/20 | 04:00 | Felt cold and dizzy, shivering even in bed, woke up every 1-2 hours from feeling unwell |
| 7/20 | 08:00 | Fever 38.0 Bad headache, barely got up to pack a lunch for my son, took a sick day off |
| 10:00 | Fever 37.0 Took acetaminophen 500mg to reduce some fever, but only lasted for a bit | |
| 12:00 | Fever 39.0 Shivering and feeling very very unwell | |
| 13:00 | Fever 40.0 Hadn’t experienced this kind of fever in years, felt so bad physically and mentally | |
| 14:00 | Fever 37.0 Took another dose of acetaminophen 500mg, could finally drink and eat a little | |
| 16:00 | Fever 38.0 No energy to do anything | |
| 20:00 | Fever 37.5 Fever started going down without medication, still had a bad headache |
So the day after the vaccine injection was unpleasant. Of course, I know that this is nothing compared to those who are actually suffering from COVID-19, but a 40 degree fever is a rare occurrence in my life and I felt so weak. The headache also lasted for a couple of days, and I only started feeling like myself again 3-4 days after the injection. Infection rates continue to rise in Japan, and I know that this vaccine hasn’t been sufficiently tested, but being vaccinated does make me feel a little more safe. Also, if being vaccinated allows me to do a little more with my children outside of the house, I figure it is worth it.
Praying that these worrisome days end soon….