Skip to main content

'It's like a severe hangover': Volunteers who were first in the world to be given Pfizer's Covid vaccine reveal how the side effects gave them headaches and left them 'aching all over'

Volunteers on the Pfizer vaccine trial have compared the jab's side effects to a 'severe hangover' and said it left them with headaches, fever and muscle aches similar to the flu vaccine. 

One 45-year-old volunteer said the first dose left her suffering side effects similar to the flu jab but that her symptoms were 'more severe' after her second jab.

Another volunteer, 44-year-old Glenn Deshields, said Pfizer's vaccine made him feel like he had a 'severe hangover' but that symptoms quickly cleared up.

More than 43,500 people in six countries have taken part in the phase three trials by the pharmaceutical giant in the hunt for an effective Covid-19 vaccine.

And yesterday's results suggested the jab was 90 per cent effective, raising hopes that life could return to normal in the spring. 

The UK is set to receive 10million doses should the drug gain approval, with the British Army and the NHS on standby to start issuing them to those most in need in December. 

Mr Geshields said he was proud to have taken partCarrie, 45, also from the US, was also involved in Pfizer's vaccine trial

Glenn Geshields, 44, said he was proud to have taken part. Carrie, 45, also from the US, was also involved in Pfizer's vaccine trial

COVID VACCINE WON'T BE A SILVER BULLET, EXPERTS WARN

A coronavirus vaccine won't immediately bring the pandemic to an end and scientists and officials must be honest about how long it will take to roll one out and get life back to normal, experts say.

Eight out of 10 people may need to have the jab before it becomes effective and getting this done will be a massive task for medical workers.

A report published today has called for realistic timescales to be laid out for the public about how long it might actually take to vaccinate enough people to thwart the spread of Covid-19.

Anti-vaxx conspiracy theories spreading online will make it harder to get rid of coronavirus, it warned, and more than a third of people in the UK already say they aren't sure whether they would get a vaccine.

And even if take-up is good, lockdowns and social distancing will still have to continue to keep the virus under control while medics scramble to get the vaccine to millions of people. 

There is also the chance that that the jab won't work perfectly - experts have warned that the first vaccines may not be totally effective, meaning other measures might still be needed.

Oxford University sociologist Professor Melinda Mills and colleagues said clear communication about the vaccine will be a key part of 'expectation management' in coming months.

Scientists' attempts to make vaccines are hurtling forward at unprecedented speed around the world and results from late-stage clinical trials are expected from some teams before the end of 2020.

Experts say that it's likely at least one working vaccine will be ready to give to people by spring 2021, but it may not work perfectly and won't be available to everyone.

Britain's spy agency GCHQ has now launched an online campaign against anti-vaxx conspiracies that are being spread online by users in Russia.

Volunteer Carrie, a publicist from Missouri in the US who asked for her last name not to be used, said she received her first shot back in September and her second last month.

She said she suffered a headache, fever and aches all over her body, comparable to the flu jab, with the first one.

But after the second these became 'more severe'.

The publicist said she signed up because she felt it was her 'civic duty' and that Monday's announcement of the success made her feel 'very proud'. 

Explaining why she signed up, she said: 'There are so many people who have had it and suffered.

'The thought that we could do something to stop people from suffering from this, from losing family members, that we could get rid of it and get back to some sort of normal in our lives - that's a driving factor for this for me.

'I don't want anyone else to be sick.'

Mr Deshields, a lobbyist from Texas, said he suffered side effects not dissimilar to a 'severe hangover'.

He believes he received the vaccine as when he had an antibody test with doctors it came back positive.  

He added that his own immune reaction to the shot made him confident about the vaccine, but he was nevertheless 'very excited' by Monday's news.

He added: 'My grandfather, one of his first memories was of the bells ringing when World War I ended.

'It was a horrific war and horrible things happened and people were just happy it was over with.

'In my mind I felt the same way... I kind of felt it was something like that. Thank god, it's going to be over at some point.'

The trials were double-blind, meaning those taking part did not know whether they had or had not received the vaccine.

In clinical trials only around half the volunteers are given the vaccine being tested while the rest receive an injection of a solution that does not contain the vaccine.

Scientists do this so they can compare how at risk the two groups are of catching the virus, to see whether the vaccine had an impact. 

Bryan, 42, an engineer from Georgia, believes he was one of the individuals that did not receive the vaccine.

He felt no immune response to the jabs, he said, and after having two shots he contracted Covid-19 after his daughter caught it last month.

They have both since recovered.

Talking about taking part in the trials, he said he felt a 'little bit of pride' on hearing the results but added that taking part in the study was 'the least I could do to help out' as 'a lot of people are needlessly suffering from the virus' in America. 

Volunteers have said taking the vaccine left them with what felt like a 'severe hangover'. Pfizer's vaccine has proved 90 per cent effective in early trials. Pictured above is Bryan, 42, who received a placebo

Volunteers have said taking the vaccine left them with what felt like a 'severe hangover'. Pfizer's vaccine has proved 90 per cent effective in early trials. Pictured above is Bryan, 42, who received a placebo

He added that watching President Donald Trump's 'bungled' response to the pandemic as been 'disheartening'. 

'I'm embarrassed by how the US president has handled the pandemic,' he said.

'But I'm hopeful now because in addition to the good news with the Pfizer vaccine, we have a new president-elect and I'm sure he won't ignore scientists, he won't downplay the virus, he won't make fun of people wearing masks - so combined I think it'll save a lot of lives.' 

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o