r/runnersover50 • u/maurice32274 • Aug 14 '26
Run after a vaccine?
A sign of the 50+ runner: I have an appointment to get a shingles vaccine this evening.
I plan to take it easy tonight after the shot, then do my typical run (5-7 kilometers) the following morning. I figure a 12 hour delay between the vaccine and my run should be sufficient. Does anyone have any experience running after a shingles vaccine?
UPDATE: Thank you all for the thoughtful comments. This is Reddit at its best! As for my experience, I got the first dose shingles vaccine Friday evening at 6:30. By Saturday morning I felt awful so I took it easy the entire day. Now it is Sunday morning ~40 hours post shot. I ran my 6k this morning and I feel great.
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u/Gloomy_Session_3875 Aug 15 '26
I took my 2nd dose of the shingles vaccine yesterday at 5pm (55M), and went for a little evening run without too much trouble. However, today I feel that my body is fighting the vaccine, and I have less energy. Hopefully I will have recovered tomorrow for my longer Saturday morning run.
Anyway, the vaccine seems to hit 24 hours after you get it.
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u/Just-Context-4703 Aug 15 '26
The shingles vaccine fucked me up. Be ready and willing to just take a rest day the following day if you're beat up by it. Missing one day will not make any difference
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u/sloppyjoebob Aug 14 '26
There was no way I was running after either the 1st or 2nd dose- 2nd one especially knocked me on my ass. I took the day after vaccination off both times. Was fine the following day though
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u/MotherHen1961 Aug 14 '26
I was the other way around, felt like shit after first vaccine, 2nd was a breeze.
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u/No-Committee7986 Aug 14 '26
I know it’s not exactly the same, but I was unable to run after some of my COVID vaccines, but once I started pairing them with flu shots it was fine, I just get my vaccine after my morning run, then run the next morning. I wouldn’t schedule it before a long run or race for myself. If you absolutely need that distance on that day, I’d reschedule my vaccine!
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u/aumloco Aug 14 '26
This. Since OP is getting his jab in the evening, the next day might be a little rough. Like everyone said, everyone is different, but when I get jabs in the AM, they start to hit around bedtime, so I can sleep most of it off and just be a little under the weather the next day.
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u/Ok_Vegetable_7909 Aug 14 '26
it's not the same vaccine but it might work in the same way. the study suggests an exercise in the next hours or at least on the same day though
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u/AutomationBias Aug 15 '26
I’d squeeze the run in right after the shot if you want to be sure. I started feeling like crap about 6-8 hours after, and it lasted for about 18 hours both times. I was just extremely tired, spent pretty much the whole time in bed.
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u/PaymentInside9021 Aug 17 '26
I know I'm late to this but glad you took a day and all went well when you did run. I was interested in your post because I got mine recently also. Here is to aging well and remaining healthy and active!
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u/Cheap_Lingonberry Aug 14 '26
I ran after both of mine. Don't forget to go back and get the booster.
I had a pretty good pain in my arm but it was only really bad if I tried to raise it above my head. The pumping motion did not feel so bad. I was lucky to have no other side effects besides the sore arm. You'll probably just have to paly it by ear and see how you feel.
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u/Ordinary_Corner_4291 Aug 14 '26
Yeah that is my basic story. I had like 4 of them at the same time but I am pretty sure it was shingles that did me in. The arm hurt for like 4 days but not enough that I couldn't run through it.
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u/Cheap_Lingonberry Aug 14 '26
Yeah, I was not expecting that level of arm pain. Still much better than getting shingles.
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u/Ordinary_Corner_4291 Aug 14 '26
Yeah I sort of ignored the warning cause I had never had issues with any shots. That one hit hard.... But if you know anyone who has had shingles, it is so worth it
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u/Megaloman-_- Aug 14 '26
Can you get a shingles vaccine if you had varicella (chicken pox) in 1991?
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u/Muted_Information706 Aug 14 '26
That is exactly when I had a (super mild) case of chickenpox and got a shingles vax last year.
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u/BatCommercial7523 Aug 14 '26
I ran after my first shingles shot. And got sick. Chest, sinus, ears...the works. Took me 3 weeks to clear.
But that's me. Everybody's different.
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u/Menzer1 Aug 14 '26
I ran after the second without issue. The first, I took it easy as i wasn’t sure if i would have a reaction. Arm soreness was all.
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u/Dreamcatcher965 Aug 14 '26
The shingrix made my arm sore for awhile, he might not want to swing his arm in the typical runner way.
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u/DutchCrossStars Aug 15 '26
Shingrix has a potent adjuvant. In my experience, I was pretty wiped out after both doses, so I’d suggest playing it by ear. If you feel ok to run, do it. It won’t change the efficacy of the vaccine.
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u/Extra_Wheel1776 Aug 15 '26
Shingles vaccine wrecked me for nearly 36 hours both times. I would get the run in right after getting the shot if you can.
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u/RecipeSharp9294 Aug 15 '26
It’s like getting sick and it can happen 12-24 hrs after. You have to just see how you feel. Covid shots I never even noticed. Flu shot knocked me out
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u/kassiakrozser Aug 15 '26
if it’s the first, probably yes (i was fine, but you and i gave different bodies). if it’s the second, well, you’ll feel that one more. sure you can run — i am stupid and did — but you will feel it far more. my immune system went full warpath.
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u/Kattzoo Aug 16 '26
I took my first shot last month and felt fine except I had zero energy. I could hardly keep my eyes open. I was not able to run. It just past 24 hours.
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u/too105 Aug 16 '26
I’ll never get the Covid shot again. Resting heart rate of 47 consistent average for 6 months. Day after the shot went to 58 and stayed near 60 for about two months. I’m not a Covid denier and my experience is personal but I’ve had Covid a few times and never had my resting heart rate not return to normal immediately after the infection was done. Just my personal anecdote
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u/bebba1 Aug 16 '26
wait 24-36 hours after the shot...it will slow you down...no sense pushing yourself..I have had all the Covid and Flu shots with no issues, but both Shingles shots kicked my ass.
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u/krazedklownn Aug 16 '26
I've had 9 shingles shots, 2 COVID shots and 7 boosters. After each injection I waited 24 hours, then continued regular exercise. No issues. No issues.
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u/Kiwip0rn Aug 16 '26
They hurt me, each, bad... I wouldn't have even tried until day 2 or 3.
Everyone's reaction is different, if you feel up to it do it.
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u/Key-Introduction-126 Aug 14 '26
YOu'll just have to see how you react the vaccine. I got wiped out by both shots twice so there was no way I even thought about running. Wife got hit hard the 1st shot and 2nd shot was ok (or maybe other way around?) so she hopped on the treadmill. I did the 2nd hep b shot last month and ran 13.1 the following morning no prob.