Has anyone with a past history of VM taken the COVID-19 Vaccine? And If so how did you feel afterwards? And what brand did you take? My son had viral meningitis four years ago and is concerned that the vaccine will trigger a a viral meningitis attack. With this new Delta variant I am much more concerned over the possibility of his children/wife being exposed and bringing COVID home. Any negative reactions to the jab?
Sleepless in NY
I understand your concerns, I had BM last year and was worried about the vaccine. Having discussed this with my GP we agreed it was better to have the vaccine. The risk of me or my family contracting COVID-19 was greater. I had the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, I’ve now received both jabs and suffered zero side effects form either one. I did take paracetamol 1 hour before the jab and continued with this every 4 hours for 1 day, I also took ibuprofen for 1day and an ante histamine for 1 day too, not sure if this helped but it worked for myself and my husband who had zero side effects as well.I guess he will just have to work out what is the greater risk for himself and his family. Good luck 🤞🏼
Hi I had VM 6 yrs ago and I’ve had both the Pfizer vaccines and I was ok. I know that everyone’s different but I wanted to let u know I was ok and I’m still dealing with bad after effects of VM now and I was ok. Hope that helps x
Hey,I had BM and also wasn’t sure about the vaccination at first, but to be honest neither were the doctors. They did weigh up the risks and said it’s better to get vaccination than catch covid so I had mine 2 weeks after I was discharged from the hospital!
I had Pfizer, no real side effects other than a sore arm!
I had near fatal VM in 2002 and suffered side effects from the Astra Zeneca vaccine related to two bouts of pneumonia I had in 2017 and 2018 but nothing to do with the VM that I'm aware of. Given that Covid-19 has an unpredictable pathological signature, meaning you don't know how it's going to affect you, I would have the vaccine. Some old and already ill people have had mild cases of CV-19 however perfectly healthy young people have been killed by it so in my opinion it's not worth taking the risk.
I had VM in 2017 and have had the Moderna vaccine (both shots) with no problem. I’ve also had a flu vaccine every year since VM with no issues afterwards other than the usual sore arm for a couple of days.
Hi, i had pfizer and both times i became ill. But nothing like vm more like normal flu. It lasted both around 10 days.
I had encephalomenigitis 5 yrs ago, I also had taken Moderna vax in March & April, i was extremely tired for a few days. As well as 1 week post I had a reaction where I was injected, they call Covid arm. Other than that I was fine.
I understand your son's concerns but I would say get him vaccinated ASAP. I have recurrent VM and have had 6 major attacks that put me in the hospital. I usually go 2-3 years between (so I'm due-ugh) and we have never found my cause. However, I know people who have died and one very, very good friend who spent 46 days in the hospital with this horrible virus. I got vaccinated. I had the Moderna two dose back in February and March. First shot gave me super sore arm for about 48 hours. Second shot my arm wasn't as sore. At about 24 hour mark I realized I was running a low grade fever. 100.1 F. I took some tylenol and when I woke up I was 100%. I have family members who have not had VM or BM but they got the Pfizer and the J&J. We have all been ok. My two daughters (26&31) both felt worn out and spend 24 hours on couch. One of them ran a fever. But both went back to work no problem the next day. I hope this helps you figure out your situation.
Thanks again everyone for your accountings of your vaccine jabs. For me , it gave me peace of mind to know that he’ll be fine...like Nike says, “Just do it!”
Just an update. As my son lives in Florida, and his wife insisted on having their four year old in school, my son went and got the Moderno vaccine. This was 2 weeks ago. Three days ago, due to both his wife and daughter having a slight cough and fever, he had them do 2 rapid tests… which both came out positive. My son is in quarantine away from his family and will be tested today. Fingers crossed that Moderna gives him the protection from this insidious virus and that his family has only a mild case. I am so angry and sad that my D-I-L put her family in jeopardy by placing her daughter in preschool and by her not getting vaccinated herself . For anyone who has not gotten the jab yet, my son (vm 4 years ago) had no reaction to the first Moderna shot and still has 2 weeks before he can get the second jab. Please, if you’re on the fence about whether or not to get vaccinated…just Do it … and protect yourself and your family. Life is precious and you’re worth it. ❤️Still sleepless in NY and hoping for mild cases for my little grands and d-i~l and for the first jab to put a protective net around my son. Only time will tell. Thank you all who responded and helped my son with his decision. xo
I was extremely hesitant to get the vaccine because of having VM and continue to have side effects. I finally succumbed to peer pressure and have the two shot Moderna. Normal reactions except that immediately after the second shot my face and hands went numb immediately. Related to VM?? Who knows.
I have reoccurring viral meningitis and yes I have had the covid-19 vaccinations. Pfizer is the one I got. I had the same fears as your son does about getting the vaccination. However, now I am so grateful I got vaccination because usually if there is something viral going around like the flu, I will get meningitis! ( I have recurring visit rap or Aseptic meningitis) or if I go to the hospital to stay with a family member, Lord knows I am going to catch something! Anyway, I got the Pfizer vaccination & my hubby got the Moderna one. I had no reaction at all to mine, my husband felt like crap after his second shot. My adult son decided against getting vaccinated. Well about 6 weeks ago my son tested positive for covid-19. And 24 hours later, my husband also tested positive. My son was miserable for weeks. My husband had flu like symptoms for a couple of days. I just knew I would get it, because I get everything! Well believe it or not, even though my hubby & I quarantined together for 10 days, I did not get it! Also, my husband’s symptoms were much less severe then my sons. Since then I have lost a family member to covid and one that we are still unsure about. Neither had the vaccine. When they tell you that you can still get covid after being vaccinated it is true, however, the vaccination can keep you from being hospitalized or dying.
Yes. Pfizer. Barely even noticed I had a jab.
Hi, I had the same concerns because I have recurrent viral meningitis and had a reoccurance when I got a regular flu vaccine, but I eventually got the Pfizer vaccine and had no reaction to either jab, thankfully. I know everyone's different but I've been monitoring this site and it seems like everyone has been OK. Hope you have an easy time of it!
I had VM 4 and a half years ago. I’ve had two doses of the Astra Zeneca covid jab and didn’t react any worse than anyone else I know. I’d have thought it’d be far more likely that VM would be triggered by actually getting Covid, than having the vaccine.
Hi I had VM , Scepsis, pneumonia in 2019 caused by the first Covid wave. I was in a coma for three days. I have had both of the Astra vaccines and have felt fine , a little aches and pains but nothing major ? Your son should get the vaccines as soon as he can . Much Love ❤️
My husband had VM two years ago and had almost no reaction to Pfizer both shots. He reacted better than me if anything.
Hi, I had VM four years ago too, and have had the covid vaccines and booster (mederna) I developed a severe ear infection after the first vaccine having never had an ear infection in my life. It did not respond to any antibiotics and I ended up with a perforated eardrum. That being said, I don’t regret being vaccinated. I can’t prove the VM/ear infection/vaccine are linked, could well be coincidence.
I have had the Moderna vaccine and since then 2 booster shots with no problems. Might feel tired and a sore arm after for a couple of days. I’d recommend getting the vaccine as you are much less likely to develop severe symptoms and the possibility of another bout of VM if you do catch Covid.
3 years post VM
MenB Vaccine to be introduced. 
VM Newbie WTF?
Mollaret's Meningitis. 
8 months post VM
