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Did anxiety cause my Pfizer vaccine side effects?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I took the Pfizer vaccine two weeks ago, and I am waiting to take my second dose. After my vaccination (a few seconds or one minute), I started to feel uncomfortable, almost like panic attacks. I became pale, cold sweaty, and felt inner turmoil. I felt weak and was asked to lie down for safety. After a few minutes, I started to feel a little better.

Approximately 30 minutes later, I felt better and was told I could go. I had no side effects afterward. As it was a very stressful experience, I was not asked what it was. In hindsight, I read online and wondered if it could be some kind of circulatory shock, vasovagal syncope, or just anxiety.

I had problems with anxiety and panic attacks in the past when I took Pantoprazole and Omeprazole, and while taking a blood test. I have subsequently learned to prevent panic attacks and calm down my anxiety. Now it only happens after very stressful events. Because of my anxiety symptoms, I decided to go to the doctor for an examination. Everything was fine, including ECG (electrocardiogram) and blood tests.

  1. What could it have been?
  2. Can I take a second dose?

Please help.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Slight reactions may occur after a normal vaccine shot. But some people may panic after taking medicine. In their minds, just thoughts come to like something may happen, and they feel irritated or anxious. I also believe it is the same; maybe you were thinking a lot, so it may be that only you experienced those symptoms.

So be calm, and you can take another shot, and nothing will happen. If you were not thinking anything at all and symptoms just came suddenly, I would suggest you take the vaccine under supervision so that if symptoms develop, they can control it. Please tell me.

Were you thinking a lot about side effects when you took your first shot?

I hope this helps.

Kindly revert for more queries.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Yes, I was very stressed and thought a lot before I took the vaccine. There were nights I could not sleep well because of bad thoughts. I tried to calm down, but I guess I had inner stress. When they gave me the vaccine, I thought about the consequences of getting the vaccine after reading much news on the internet. It happened right after I got the shot, not longer than a few seconds after.

I got better quickly, and I think it was some panic attack or vasovagal syncope, but I just want to be sure before taking the second shot. Ever since I got better (after some minutes), I have not experienced any other side effects. I was active, and still, I am active. I jog every day and feel good about my health.

Please help.

Thank you.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thank you for your query. I understand your concern.

Yes, your inner thoughts disturbed you, so do not worry and go for a second dose because the symptoms were not related to the vaccine so nothing will happen this time. You can go for a vaccine without hesitation, and everything is going to be fine, so do not worry. If it were related to the vaccine, symptoms would have lasted for a long time, but it is due to inner stress that is why you were fine right after the vaccine. So please do not think about it.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed byDr. Preetha. J

Published At November 27, 2021
Reviewed AtOctober 29, 2025

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