Vaccination question : Had my flu and COVID... - Couch to 5K

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Vaccination question

KathyinChips profile image
KathyinChipsGraduate
23 Replies

Had my flu and COVID boosters on Tuesday. Felt fine yesterday morning other than two sore arms. But when I started running I had no energy at all and ended cutting it short and walking home. I do hope it’s the effect of the boosters. Anyone else got any experience of this?

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KathyinChips profile image
KathyinChips
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23 Replies
nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate

It's normal.

All vaccines work by causing your immune system to be put on alert. You might not feel particularly unwell, but this process will divert your body's resources.

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

We're all different and affected in different ways.. I took four days between injections and a run..some folk run the day after and feel absolutely fine Just listen to your body...it's your best guide.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Not advisable to run within 24 hours of a vaccination, I have to miss parkrun this Saturday because I am getting my annual flu jab AND another booster shot for Covid-19 on Friday evening only 14 hours before parkrun starts on Saturday morning.

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorOn a breakGraduate in reply toAlMorr

Not advisable to run within 24 hours of a vaccination

Where is this advice from from Alan?

As far as I can see, there’s nothing on the NHS or government websites or any of the post vaccination advice leaflets.

The UK Goverment site has the following guidance about what to expect after covid vaccination:

Daily activities after your vaccine

You should be able to resume activities that are normal for you as long as you feel well. If your arm is particularly sore, you may find heavy lifting difficult. If you feel unwell or very tired you should rest and avoid operating machinery or driving.

gov.uk/government/publicati...

Vaccines can certainly make you feel tired afterwards and listening to your body is always the right thing to do. It’s totally ok to miss your parkrun if that’s what you’ve been advised to do, but I don’t think it’s a blanket rule for everyone as far as I can tell.

Hope you feel ok and it’s definitely worth getting protected!

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply toMissUnderstanding

It's just me MissUnderstanding, I did read from some runners that they felt very tired after running a day after they got their vaccination, over the past few years all my flu and Covid 19 jabs have been on a Friday, very annoying meaning I have missed parkrun the following day despite feeling fine on the Saturday morning, if I did run at parkrun it might make me feel very tired, particularly annoying this time as I have had to put back my 100th parkrun for two weeks, last Saturday I didn't get to parkrun because of heavy rain and flooding, I have run 98 parkruns, #99 on Saturday 21st October and #100 on Saturday 28th October.

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate in reply toAlMorr

That's so frustrating for you, but hopefully you will get there soon. I had been on target to get to 100 this month until Long Covid stopped me in my tracks at #72.

Good luck when the day finally arrives. I'm now aiming for May/June next year...

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply tosTrongFuse

Just a little frustrating sTrongFuse, but it's only for two weeks, not nearly as long as you, sorry that you got Long Covid preventing you from running for much much longer.

Yesletsgo profile image
YesletsgoAdministratorGraduate

I've felt different after each of my Covid jabs. The first one totally knocked me out, the others not so much.

I have my booster on Friday week and will not run on Saturday, irrespective of how I feel. Like AlMorr I'd rather not over extend myself.

I just googled 'running after covid vaccine'. Half the headlines seem to say it can boost your immune response, the others are negative. I haven't read any of them so can't comment lol

My guess is that the reason why the Government website doesn't mention running is that there aren't really all that many over 65s who run regularly like us so they don't feel the need. Polish your halo and feel good about yourself :)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply toYesletsgo

There is loads of info out there isn't there... just listening to your body will often tell you what feels right... I know I err on the side of caution because I am 73! Edging my bets :)

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate in reply toOldfloss

dictionary.cambridge.org/di... 😉

(only because of the "and"/"though" thing earlier)

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate in reply tonowster

Oh you ...!🙃

I felt drained for a week after my flu jab. Listen to your body and you will be fine :)

Sax64 profile image
Sax64Graduate

I went running 48 hours after my coving jab and could barely move my legs. They felt like lead. I put it down to the jab as my running had been going so well up to that. Got my flu jab tomorrow....

Penwithpink profile image
PenwithpinkGraduate

I had exactly the same you just have to be kind to yourself and go easy for a couple of days x had mine on a Tuesday evening , I’d normally run on a Thursday but I just went for a walk and was able to do a park run on Saturday x always check with gp if things don’t improve though x I was told to drink lots of water as this prevents headaches that can b another side effect x I hope u feel better very soon xx

hamit profile image
hamitGraduate

I had no problems at all. Your Energy will return in a few days I am sure. Have an Excellent Day.

Comte profile image
ComteGraduate

Everybody is different and one person can have different reactions to the same vaccination. If one is feeling under the weather for any reason it probably best not to run.

javo123j profile image
javo123jGraduate

Had COVID booster yesterday morning and went for a 40 minute run in the afternoon but found it very hard and I'm sure it was due to the booster

KathyinChips profile image
KathyinChipsGraduate

Thank you, everyone, for your help. As a brand new graduate I’m anxious not to lose my enthusiasm! I’ll go out for a little while later and see how I feel.

sTrongFuse profile image
sTrongFuseGraduate

Flu jabs have never bothered me, but when I had my covid ones, I was told it might be a good idea to give myself 24 hours and see how I felt. Aside from a moderat headache, they didn't really bother me too much, but then again, I've never been known to turn down an extra rest day if its on offer, so I don't know if it affected my runs or not.

Wish I could help Kathy but I've never had a covid jab. And never will.

Hobbitfan profile image
HobbitfanGraduate

I had both my flu and covid vaccinations on the same day. The next day I felt like I had the flu - every single part of me ached! I will admit I waited before going for a run, mainly because there was no way on earth that I could have dragged my sorry a**e out on a run the day afterwards!

Getfitordietrying profile image
GetfitordietryingGraduate

Yes definitely, especially after Covid booster, I felt tired and weary with sore arm for several days. People seem to react differently, my husband was much less affected by the booster jab.

CH951 profile image
CH951

What vaccine 4 covid,had u had,had both flu and covid feel fine,mine was Pfizer xx

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