“My Experience With The Pfizer Covid Vaccine”: Trial Participant’s Honest Post Goes Viral

After Pfizer and BioNTech announced the leaps they’ve made while developing their Covid-19 vaccine, people instantly went crazy. Finally, some good news in 2020.

To give people a better understanding of the pharmacology product that is supposed to save us from the global pandemic, Imgur user mademsmith — who has been participating in the Coronavirus vaccine trial — decided to share her experience and made a post on the platform, detailing everything she went through in the trial.

"My Experience With The Pfizer Covid Vaccine": Trial Participant's Honest Post Goes Viral

Image credits: pxhere

"My Experience With The Pfizer Covid Vaccine": Trial Participant's Honest Post Goes Viral

Image credits: mademsmith

According to Pfizer’s press release, primary efficacy analysis demonstrates the vaccine to be 95% effective against Covid-19 beginning 28 days after the first dose; 170 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were evaluated, with 162 observed in the placebo group versus 8 in the vaccine group.

“Efficacy was consistent across age, gender, race and ethnicity demographics; observed efficacy in adults over 65 years of age was over 94%,” the company wrote, adding that it is planning to produce up to 50 million vaccine doses in 2020 and up to 1.3 billion doses by the end of 2021.

Coming back to mademsmith, the pandemic and global lockdown hasn’t really affected her or her partner. “Fortunately, we do not know anybody who has died and all our family and friends are safe and healthy,” she told Bored Panda. “The biggest change is that we don’t go out as much as we would like to.”

“The trial was pretty manageable,” mademsmith said. “The nurses were fantastic, we felt safe and well informed. Even when my partner passed out due to the vaccine side effects, the nurse went above and beyond to make sure he was okay and safe to go home.”

“I would highly recommend the vaccine to anybody eligible to get it. Trust science and the scientific method, vaccines are good!”

Here’s what people said after reading the story

"My Experience With The Pfizer Covid Vaccine": Trial Participant's Honest Post Goes Viral

Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

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I'm a visual editor at Bored Panda. I kickstart my day with a mug of coffee bigger than my head, ready to tackle Photoshop. I navigate through the digital jungle with finesse, fueled by bamboo breaks and caffeine kicks. When the workday winds down, you might catch me devouring bamboo snacks while binging on the latest TV show, gaming or I could be out in nature, soaking up the tranquility and communing with my inner panda.

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What do you think ?

POST

Bumble 3 years ago (edited)

As someone who is currently recovering from covid, those side effects (sore throat, fever) are what I felt right at the beginning- only mine lasted days and were just the beginning of an onslaught of covid attacks on my body. I am now three weeks after diagnosis and feeling better but unable to do anything without feeling breathless and exhausted. I know I am very lucky to still be here, but covid is no friggin joke. I am relatively young and healthy too. I wouldn't wish this on anyone.

40points

Anne 3 years ago

I'm six months later and still out of breath way sooner than I was before. It's horrible. (I also am relatively young and I was healthy). Hope you have better luck!

20points

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Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago

I am so sorry, I hope things improve for you quickly, best wishes.

9points

Katinka Min 3 years ago

I had the super light version - and even 9 months later, my lungs are not what they used to be. And who knows fi I got any of the other side effects liek thrombosises or liver damage. People have watched too mayn movies and think a dangeorus virus needs to kill fast and with a lot of drama. But with the way Covid spreads and the damage it can do even to a smallish percentage pf people, this virus is no joke.

6points

Uncommon Boston Premium 3 years ago (edited)

People STILL think this is a joke? Sure many people don't have symptoms -- they just pass the virus to others. You may not get sick and apparently don't care if you get other people sick. Your attitude is one of the reasons this continues to spread and kill. If someone you love gets extremely sick, will you care then? Will it take the death of someone you know for you to reconsider what you believe to be true?

2points

rongladney 3 years ago

Bumble haha

-1point

tjaygrant 3 years ago

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Bill 3 years ago

How long before the built up immunity? The flu vaccine takes up to a month for protection.

34points

Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago (edited)

I don’t know why people downvote when someone asks a legitimate question and a really good one at that.Here’s an upvote.

20points

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Dat Bored Pugtato =0= 3 years ago

Why was this downvoted? It’s just a question right? Maybe I’m just dumb ;-;

7points

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

It varies, Bill, but average is 3-4 weeks from what we heard from Johns HOpkins, and flu varies, as well. (Depends ---- again, "average" is a measure across several numbers, so we aren't all the exact same number as the "average".) Built-up immunity isn't established yet, but the more important thing is really how long it *lasts* rather than when it kicks in, for me. The pharmaceutical companies say it's a month to reach immunity; we'll take that for now, and hope they're right!

4points

sylvantic 3 years ago

it actually takes only around 2-3 weeks, but i still got mine AS SOON AS I COULD.

0points

Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago (edited)

I just want to say a huge thank you to all the people giving up their time and their bodies to science/medical research etc. We would not have the vaccines, medicines, treatments etc that we have without you. A massive thank you and applause from me to you.

34points

Monika Soffronow 3 years ago (edited)

It is fascinating how fast the work to find a vaccine for SARS-COV-2 (the virus that causes Covid-19) has proceeded. Let us hope that they will make this widely available for people in ALL countries and that the anti-vaxxers will shut the f*^ck up. That is unless they want to prove to the rest of us that they are competing for the Darwin award. Until we all get the vaccine, please wear a mask, keep your distance, wash your hands, and, especially during the darker months, take extra Vitamin D! Protect yourself in order to protect others.

17points

les 3 years ago

the oxford/astra zeneca vacine is apparently going to be available at cost (or very low profit) which I thought was good news. We should all remember to support the companies that have gone above and beyond for us during covid. Not just the medicine manufacturers but all of them. Those that did nothing to help we should forget even exist. There are a large number of people that willingly put their lives at risk to benefit others and they deserve praise

8points

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Bill 3 years ago (edited)

The anti vaxxers and maskcreants should have to publicly apologize and kiss Dr. Fauci's naked rear end on camera first before getting the vaccine.

5points

2WheelTravlr 3 years ago

Jay Loren, my opinion is it's better to be a sheep than a lemming.

4points

Uncommon Boston Premium 3 years ago (edited)

People are not held accountable for their actions. They feel free not to wear a mask and spread misinformation, then expect the health care system to care for them. With the limited care available, why do they have an equal right to a bed in an ICU, possibly while others are denied care due to lack of space. Like those who refuse to evacuate before a storm, then expect others to risk their lives to rescue then -- selfish people who only care about themselves. Thankfully enough people do care about the greater good and have endless compassion, so everyone gets the care they need to survive. Just as the anti-vax folks do not have sympathy for the vaccinated children who get previously eradicated illnesses, I do not expect compassion from those who ignore this catastrophic pandemic.

2points

fuggnuggins 3 years ago

Posted this elsewhere, but needs to be said again and again: It'll likely last for a few months max. People who have developed antibodies through normal exposure are losing their immunity fairly quickly. The aim of the vaccine - most vaccines - is not to make people immune. It is to create herd immunity. For this to work they need as much as 70% of people to take the vaccine. Since so many people already object to it then that is unlikely, and so the vaccine will not be a success. This might not be the case if the issues concerning vaccines were not suppressed. Blame the medical, insurance and vaccine industries, as well as politics. Read: individuals involved in the medical, insurance and vaccine industries, as well as politicians, working towards the suppression of such information. Many of these people are well-meaning, but they have created this fiasco never-the-less. And we can include all of the diligent sychophants in that category, as well.

0points

Corcaigh 3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

9points

Cori 3 years ago

Not sure why you got down voted. I think it's a valid hypothesis.

5points

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K. 3 years ago

I don’t think it’s a question about whether the shots were an actual vaccine or placebo.

2points

Monika Soffronow 3 years ago

No, they are probably the ones who got the actual vaccine and not the placebo.

1point

Laura Gillette 3 years ago (edited)

A friend of mine also participated in this study (or was it the Moderna one? I can't remember) and he said it made him vomit pretty badly that night and through the next day. That being said, he still strongly recommends everyone get vaccinated, whether the side effects are horrible or not. Better a day or two of feeling like s**t than possibly dying or infecting other people.

8points

Astrid Nineor 3 years ago

Ye, it's the last part people don't get. If you are healthy enough to handle the vaccine you should get vaccinated to make sure you don't infect those who cannot get it.

7points

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MrLoufoque 3 years ago

I've signed up for a vaccine trial for which the Inserm (the French national institute for health and medical research) is looking for 25,000 volunteers. I don't know if they will call me but since I'm in my thirties, healthy without any preexisting condition, and I've never an adverse reaction to any vaccine, I just thought I could do my part in this global fight against the virus. Meanwhile, a sincere thumbs-up to all those who do whatever they can to bring the vaccines research into fruition!

7points

manon M 3 years ago

merci

2points

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les 3 years ago

thankyou

2points

Corcaigh 3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

2points

wildetecture 3 years ago

MrLoufoque what

0points

Uncommon Boston Premium 3 years ago

Thank you!

0points

CLG 3 years ago

I can't even imagine how long the lines/waiting lists are going to be for the vaccine when it first becomes available. I can't think of anything that so many people across the world will want to do at the same time. Except maybe buying toilet paper in March.

6points

Uncommon Boston Premium 3 years ago (edited)

Apparently systems have been put in place in the US and elsewhere, to distribute the vaccine efficiently. Will it work? Who knows. Vaccines often have short term side effects that some people will experience. The actual illness is much worse. I had a mild case back in early April. Four days I don't remember, a week of dreadfully ill, plus two months getting part of my strength back

2points

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Anarchy (they/them) 3 years ago

I hope they implement a system where all the elderly people go first then let the young children have it and finally the people who are at the lowest risk of it. I personally think that that would be the best solution because elderly people and young children are so at risk for it and we need to protect them.

2points

daroun 3 years ago

CLG good

-1point

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

I am in love with "wear your f***ing mask". YES!

5points

Uncommon Boston Premium 3 years ago (edited)

The mask has intensified my acne, but saved money on lipstick. Would I consider not wearing one? Never

1point

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John Louis 3 years ago

I am a test volunteer test subject for the Pfizer Covid-19. The main symptom I got was a feeling of being tired and run down after the first shot and both times my arms were really sore for about a day. My family physician thinks that indicates that I got the vaccine.

3points

Hans 3 years ago

This is interesting. However, I think it cannot be stated too strongly that this is an anecdotal case, one out of 30 000 or more. Thus, it tells more about a positive atittude towards a vaccination than about the vaccination itself.

3points

Uncommon Boston Premium 3 years ago

Thank you! The anecdotal information always gets more attention than it should. In some ways I wish they hadn't share their experience with side effects. Trust me, when the vaccine is distributed, accurate and helpful information about the side effects will be available. There is the anti-vax movement and those who believe COVID is a hoax, they can, and probably will, use this as an excuse to skip the vaccine. Will their refusal to be vaccinated prevent herd immunity? Still I am grateful to people who were tested.

0points

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3 years ago

@bumble: Thank you so much for sharing you're experience! I truly hope you feel better. thank you for calling attention to this problem. it's super important to me since MY aunt had covid too. thanks again.

2points

GirlFriday 3 years ago

Thank you for doing this. I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart.

2points

CatWoman312 3 years ago

Thanks for participating in the testing. And out of curiosity since I don’t have kids yet, when kids, babies, toddlers have vaccines done do they usually get slightly sick afterwards? I don’t recall getting sick after I was vaccinated from hepatitis and MMR in the 6th grade, but when I got the flu vaccine a few years ago I did get pretty sick the next day. I also never had the flu before then so I’m not sure if that was a factor or not. I’m just wondering for the panda parents out there, do children usually get slightly sick after vaccines? (No this won’t deter me from vaccinating more or less to prepare for that in the future)

2points

Laugh or not 3 years ago

The side effects depends greatly in the type of vaccine (live attenuated, inactivated, etc.) and your general state (if you are tired or stressed for example). Like adults, some babies react ti vaccine with a light fever and probably fatigue, but they can't exactly tell us about the last one - parents will often say they are cranky.

4points

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Deborah B 3 years ago

Big thank you to all those volunteering to trial the vaccine, and to our heroes in lab coats (of all genders) who developed it! Good to read a first-person account of the vaccine. It sounds like it's going to be annoying, so everyone, prepare yourself mentally to suck it up and get vaccinated anyway (unless your actual medical doctor tells you not to). You can practice 'sucking it up' by wearing your mask.

2points

Kayleigh Walker 3 years ago

Thank you to you and all the other volunteers. I would love to take part in this trial but live with someone extremely vulnerable so unfortunately for us the risk would be too great. You see all these posts about not living in fear. It's hard not to when someone you love has a real chance of dying if they contract the virus. This vaccine gives us hope that we will soon be able to live with a little less fear. So thank you once again for giving us hope.

1point

sylvantic 3 years ago (edited)

honestly this sounds FINE. i would take this over a flu shot, but i'm also mildly allergic to the shot. the symptoms they listed are A LOT better than a useless left arm for a week! PLEASE get the shot when it comes out!

1point

Katinka Min 3 years ago

I sometimes feel like that after a flu shot. But I get rewarded with feeling like a million bucks and twenty years younger, shortly after those lows. Pity, it doesn't last :-) Vaccines can be quite an onslaught on the body, but they are the miniature version. So imagine waht the real thing would feel like.... I am a bit surprised about th felling of sickness, though, I thought the RNA vaccines work differently than traditional ones. Anyway, the moment, it'S available to me, I am getting one!

1point

Stannous Flouride 3 years ago

I'm watching a BBC report on the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine right now. Doesn't need cold storage and is much cheaper and easier to manufacture. They have committed to selling it at cost to poorer and developing nations.

1point

debkakes 3 years ago

Stannous Flouride easy

0points

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Ruth Beaty 3 years ago

That's not too bad, but these are fairly young adults. I've heard the other one might have a side effect of a horrible migraine. This should be interesting. At least a migraine is treatable.

0points

Mavia Kainaat 3 years ago

I hope it works!

0points

Boopie Dew 3 years ago

Thank you all for being a part of this!! 💜💙👏

0points

Quaxaryar 3 years ago

Knowing that I myself would probably participate in this sort of study too if I was given the chance, I still feel so much gratefulness and admiration for these people. I feel like they are the embodiment of hope we need right now. Thank you! So much!

0points

Bacony Cakes 3 years ago

Uhhh, why are all the names of the COVID vaccine developers slightly stupid?

-1point

K. 3 years ago

My personal highlights “highlight of my visit” and “mushy meat lump.” Everything that needs to be said, already has been.

-1point

Coat Guy 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

POST

Bumble 3 years ago (edited)

40points

Anne 3 years ago

I'm six months later and still out of breath way sooner than I was before. It's horrible. (I also am relatively young and I was healthy). Hope you have better luck!

20points

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Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago

I am so sorry, I hope things improve for you quickly, best wishes.

9points

Katinka Min 3 years ago

6points

Uncommon Boston Premium 3 years ago (edited)

2points

rongladney 3 years ago

Bumble haha

-1point

tjaygrant 3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Bill 3 years ago

How long before the built up immunity? The flu vaccine takes up to a month for protection.

34points

Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago (edited)

I don’t know why people downvote when someone asks a legitimate question and a really good one at that.Here’s an upvote.

20points

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Dat Bored Pugtato =0= 3 years ago

Why was this downvoted? It’s just a question right? Maybe I’m just dumb ;-;

7points

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

4points

sylvantic 3 years ago

it actually takes only around 2-3 weeks, but i still got mine AS SOON AS I COULD.

0points

Foxxy (The Original) 3 years ago (edited)

34points

Monika Soffronow 3 years ago (edited)

17points

les 3 years ago

8points

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Bill 3 years ago (edited)

The anti vaxxers and maskcreants should have to publicly apologize and kiss Dr. Fauci's naked rear end on camera first before getting the vaccine.

5points

2WheelTravlr 3 years ago

Jay Loren, my opinion is it's better to be a sheep than a lemming.

4points

Uncommon Boston Premium 3 years ago (edited)

2points

fuggnuggins 3 years ago

0points

Corcaigh 3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

9points

Cori 3 years ago

Not sure why you got down voted. I think it's a valid hypothesis.

5points

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K. 3 years ago

I don’t think it’s a question about whether the shots were an actual vaccine or placebo.

2points

Monika Soffronow 3 years ago

No, they are probably the ones who got the actual vaccine and not the placebo.

1point

Laura Gillette 3 years ago (edited)

8points

Astrid Nineor 3 years ago

Ye, it's the last part people don't get. If you are healthy enough to handle the vaccine you should get vaccinated to make sure you don't infect those who cannot get it.

7points

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MrLoufoque 3 years ago

7points

manon M 3 years ago

merci

2points

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les 3 years ago

thankyou

2points

Corcaigh 3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

2points

wildetecture 3 years ago

MrLoufoque what

0points

Uncommon Boston Premium 3 years ago

Thank you!

0points

CLG 3 years ago

6points

Uncommon Boston Premium 3 years ago (edited)

2points

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Anarchy (they/them) 3 years ago

2points

daroun 3 years ago

CLG good

-1point

Leo Domitrix 3 years ago

I am in love with "wear your f***ing mask". YES!

5points

Uncommon Boston Premium 3 years ago (edited)

The mask has intensified my acne, but saved money on lipstick. Would I consider not wearing one? Never

1point

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John Louis 3 years ago

3points

Hans 3 years ago

3points

Uncommon Boston Premium 3 years ago

0points

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3 years ago

2points

GirlFriday 3 years ago

Thank you for doing this. I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart.

2points

CatWoman312 3 years ago

2points

Laugh or not 3 years ago

4points

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Deborah B 3 years ago

2points

Kayleigh Walker 3 years ago

1point

sylvantic 3 years ago (edited)

1point

Katinka Min 3 years ago

1point

Stannous Flouride 3 years ago

1point

debkakes 3 years ago

Stannous Flouride easy

0points

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Ruth Beaty 3 years ago

That's not too bad, but these are fairly young adults. I've heard the other one might have a side effect of a horrible migraine. This should be interesting. At least a migraine is treatable.

0points