Although there have been some hiccups in the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines, Pzifer and Moderna have continuously become available to citizens of the United States. Therefore, some recipients of the vaccine tried to prepare for side effects beforehand.
Like most vaccines, those receiving the COVID-19 vaccines may experience side effects such as pain at the injection site, muscle pain, headaches, fever, chills and tiredness, as reported by ABC News. Some took painkillers before vaccination to compensate for these side effects. But experts say this is a bad idea.
According to these scientists, taking a painkiller before vaccination can interfere with the vaccine’s functioning. Although there is uncertainty, experts say to be on the safe side, don’t take painkillers like Advil, Motrin or Tylenol.
Vaccination can cause side effects, which is the way the immune system is “activated” by the vaccine. Side effects are normal and mild in many people. However, it is believed that medication for pain relief will decrease the immune response that causes the vaccine.
However, Dr. Simone Wildes, an infectious disease specialist at the South Shore Medical Center, told ABC News that scientists are still unsure about the impact of pain relief medication on the vaccine’s effectiveness, and it is best not to take it. it before.
“We do not recommend premedication with ibuprofen or Tylenol before COVID-19 vaccines due to a lack of data on how this affects the vaccine-induced antibody responses,” said Dr. Wildes to ABC News.
While there is uncertainty about how painkillers will affect the vaccine’s effectiveness, a study by Duke University found that children who take pain relief before being vaccinated have less antibodies than those who do not.
As Dr. William Schaffner – who is an infectious disease specialist who works at Vanderbilt University Medical Center – says, “You would always like an ideal response to your vaccine.”
However, there is an exception to this high recommendation. Experts also say that if you’re already taking pain medications for another medical reason, don’t stop using them. This can cause problems with the existing medical condition, according to expert information shared with ABC News.
However, the CDC recommends that you monitor side effects after vaccination and talk to your doctor about how to prepare for vaccination.
“We are recommending that, unless people have a substantial reaction to the first dose, hold their [pain killers], ”Dr. Schaffner continued.
Read more about vaccine side effects and best vaccination practices here.
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