# Got my COVID shot **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Created:** [September 20, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231 "2025-09-20T17:42:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/21 "2025-09-21T23:09:29Z")
It’s messy allover. We shouldn’t have to worry about this. What’s worse; worry you’ll get Covid, die or give it to someone who dies or worry about how to get the shot and where? There’s a way to fix this. I just know it. I want it streamlined, in my own fantasy world. And, if the government can’t be assed to make a real and true vaccine program that gets everyone in and vaxxed can we be sure they’re smart enough to give us good, safe vaccines, anyway. Ok. Rant over. Sorry ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/22 "2025-09-21T23:31:51Z")
@Aspenglow, I did not mean to imply my experience was like anyone else’s in this thread, my family or the world. But it was mine. I told what happened to me just like everyone else. So sorry if I overstepped. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2025, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/23 "2025-09-21T23:52:49Z")
You didn’t overstep, but you did assume the following: > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I do believe if you have a clinic or Doctors office you’re established with you’ll be fine. I was simply pointing out that your assumption is incorrect. We’re trying to keep information in QZ factual as much as possible, so I felt I had to point out that your assumption may be true where _you_ are, but it is far from universal. You also made the following assumptions: > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > So many folks don’t have this and rely solely on gov/sub public health. Which, as we know is in disarray. Unless you have factual data to support this assumption, it’s not a good idea to just post what you believe in this forum. Which leads us to this next assumption: > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > And, if the government can’t be assed to make a real and true vaccine program that gets everyone in and vaxxed can we be sure they’re smart enough to give us good, safe vaccines, anyway. If you have _evidence_ or _facts_ to support this claim that undermines faith in the scientists who formulate the vaccines, by all means post it. If you don’t, you’re just instilling doubt where there is no basis for it. I’m drawing a distinction between current overseers of vaccine availability and those who actually formulate the vaccines. And a reminder that rants belong in the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2025, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/24 "2025-09-22T00:30:23Z")
Got my Covid last week, the flu shot the week before that, at a Walgreens here in San Juan. No muss no fuss, no charge to me, while picking up prescription refills was asked to the effect “we got it, have you had it?” and fill out a form to take to the other side of the shop where that is handled. All went smoothly and in a couple of days any discomfort was over. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2025, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/25 "2025-09-22T21:49:16Z")
Got my seasonal flu and Covid vaxx (pfizer) one hour ago. As explained in the other active QZ thread, it took executive action by Gov. Polis to bypass a legal snafu where the luke-warm Federal approval for the current generation activated protective legislation which required a prescription (see the hashed lines for Colorado on @puzzlegal’s chart). IF it matters at all, I’m in a darn red city in a barely blue state - and there were 4 people lined up behind me. Though I was by far the youngest (at a “sprightly” 51). ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2025, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/26 "2025-09-29T17:08:40Z")
Just got my COVID-19 and flu shot. Florida, at Publix. I did have an appointment but they are accepting walk-ins as well. I had a script from my doctor in my pocket just in case, but they didn’t ask for it. I had very minimal side effects to last year’s COVID-19 shot. Previous years I had about half a day of chills and shivers. I’m hoping for a repeat of last year’s experience this time. And it’s the first time I’ve done the flu shot at the same time, but it’s hard for me to find “acceptable” down time, so I’m killing two birds with one stone. Now I need to work through timing for shingles, and maybe pnemonia. They flagged me as needing Tdap and HepA/B, but I did both of them in 2019. I should be good on Tdap until 2029. The Hep was done as twinrix, which apparently is 20 years, so I’m good until 2039. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/27 "2025-09-29T17:26:53Z")
> [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > Just got my COVID-19 and flu shot Got both of these last week at the local Dillon’s (Kroger) Pharmacy. No charge. And also no pain, except for a mild ache in my left arm, where I got the Covid booster. Zero side effects, although I did take a pleasant nap that afternoon, which I rarely do. We’re traveling next week, which prompted both my wife and me to get our shots. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2025, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/28 "2025-09-29T18:18:12Z")
I was advised by my local Safeway pharmacy that 1) prescriptions to get the COVID shot are no longer needed; and 2) I can obtain the shot as a walk-in. That change took effect in Oregon on the 18th of this month. I had to cancel a prior appointment for the COVID shot on the 25th but hope to get it tomorrow. As a walk-in with no prescription. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2025, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/29 "2025-09-29T18:31:57Z")
That’s excellent news! I hope you get through it with a milder-than-expected reactions. This years wasn’t as bad as some, so 🤞 . ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2025, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/30 "2025-09-29T18:35:30Z")
From your lips to the god-I-don’t-believe-in’s ear… How wonderful that would be! But I have my standard 3 days set aside to suffer. I would _love_ to be doing something else with them, though! Thanks for the well wishes. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2025, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/31 "2025-09-30T12:20:08Z")
My shoulder is a little sore, which is consistent with previous flu shots. I have a minor headache, which is consistent with my minor allergy to pet dander (friend’s dog slept over last night due to Monday Night Football tickets). No chills or other noticeable issues, so I think this goes in the “easy” bucket. Always makes me worried that it might also mean I didn’t have as much of a response, although I know it’s much more complicated than that. Related anecdote - last year I had almost no reaction to the COVID-19 shot as well. My (not recently vaccinated) friend and I did a cruise a few months later. Shared a cabin, were together almost every waking minute. The day after we got off the ship, she tested positive for COVID-19. I never got sick. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/32 "2025-10-10T21:08:07Z")
Just got my COVID shot today. I got nextSpike, which is a new formula from Moderna. Not just, “updated for this year’s strains”, but a new mRNA vaccine which needed separate testing. It’s a smaller dose of mRNA, and it only codes for a part of the spike, not the whole spike. In testing, it actually out-performed the original vaccine. I’m hoping that since it codes for a smaller piece of antigen I’ll have less of a reaction. I’m also putting off the flu shot for 2 weeks, instead of getting it at the same time. Wish me luck. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/33 "2025-10-10T21:20:26Z")
Building management has located a service to come in and give both the COVID and flu vaxes on the 17th. Very convenient. We’re signed up. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/34 "2025-10-10T22:06:25Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I got nextSpike, which is a new formula from Moderna. After years of getting the Pfizer shots, I got the new Moderna a few weeks ago. For the first time, I had absolutely no side effects. I hope the same goes for you. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/35 "2025-10-10T22:15:43Z")
Got mine 2 days ago (Ohio) no questions asked, arm sore yesterday almost back to normal today, zero other symptoms. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/36 "2025-10-10T22:18:03Z")
If you are over 65 and got “Moderna” from CVS this fall, you probably got nextspike. Their website told me they’d give that to customers over 65. As I’m under 65, i went to Costco, where they let me pick. Curiously, this year, CVS stocked Novavax and Costco didn’t, a change from last year where it was the reverse. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/37 "2025-10-10T22:45:31Z")
On Wednesday, my wife and I, both age 70 and moderately immunocompromised, went to our University of Pennsylvania/Presbyterian Hospital family med doc and got both the flu and COVID shot. What I see on the report is: “Influenza, High Dose Seasonal and Moderna Covid Fall Seasonal 50 Mcg/0.5m” This was the first time that a COVID shot was AFAIK available from family med. In the past we had to go to a pharmacy. I interpret this as the older Moderna type (spikevax) due to the 50 mcg dose. I was not aware until reading this thread that there was a newer type of Moderna. If I had known, I would have asked why they were using the old one. Do opinions, among vaccine experts, differ as to which is the wisest choice? ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/38 "2025-10-10T22:58:42Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Wish me luck. I’ll do better - I wish you GOOD luck. Too much of the other type floating around lately, like viral loads! ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/39 "2025-10-10T23:43:09Z")
Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231/40 "2025-10-10T23:59:32Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > I was not aware until reading this thread that there was a newer type of Moderna. If I had known, I would have asked why they were using the old one. Do opinions, among vaccine experts, differ as to which is the wisest choice? They should both work. > **[What is the Difference Between Spikevax and mNEXSPIKE? - Healthcare...](https://hcn.health/hcn-trends-story/what-is-the-difference-between-spikevax-and-mnexspike/)** > > The more targeted vaccine formulation allows for administration of a smaller mRNA dose (10 mcg/0.2 mL) while achieving "higher seroresponse rates and geometric mean neutralizing antibody titer levels." > **[mNEXSPIKE® Relative Efficacy | Info for HCPs](https://products.modernatx.com/mnexspikepro/relative-vaccine-efficacy)** > > Learn about the clinical trial results for mNEXSPIKE® (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) It was tested for “non-inferiority”. In fact, The patients in the study who got NextSpike had a slightly lower incidence of COVID in the 8 month follow-up, especially the older patients, but even in the older group the difference wasn’t statistically significant. The standard 95% confidence interval found a relative vaccine efficiency of 9.3% (-6.6, 22.8), where “0” means they are the same, and higher numbers are better. Notice that 0 is within the confidence interval. I mostly cared because i got _soooo_ sick last year, and this will probably have fewer side effects for many people. Hopefully including me. CVS is probably right to give it to older people and not younger people. I haven’t tried to unpack the math, but i suspect that NextSpike tested slightly worse (but not statistically significantly worse) for younger people. Anyway, they behave very similarly in actual testing. My father, who was a very good research doctor, used to say that if you have to squint to determine if a difference is statistically significant, it’s not clinically significant. That might not be true in a tiny initial study, but this one was large enough for it to be true. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/got-my-covid-shot/1023231.md?page=3)