Whether preparing for the COVID-19 vaccine or long-lasting side effects, employees provided guidance on how to take various over-the-counter medications.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that people talk to their doctors about taking over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin or antihistamines, for any pain and discomfort after vaccination.
The CDC does not, however, recommend that people take such over-the-counter medications or antihistamines to prevent side effects before receiving the coronavirus vaccine.
“You can take these drugs to alleviate post-vaccination side effects if you don’t have other medical reasons that would prevent you from taking these drugs normally,” says the CDC. “It is not recommended that you take these drugs before vaccination in order to try to prevent side effects.”
Health officials noted that it is not known how these drugs can affect the vaccine’s effectiveness. For people taking medications for underlying medical conditions, the CDC recommends continuing to take them.
CDC recommends that you seek medical attention if you have any of the following:
- If the redness or tenderness at the injection site gets worse after 24 hours
- If your side effects are worrying you or don’t seem to go away after a few days
- If you get the COVID-19 vaccine and you think you may be having a severe allergic reaction after leaving the vaccination site, seek immediate medical attention by calling 911.
According to Pfizer, about 3.8% of participants in their clinical trials experienced fatigue as a side effect and 2% had a headache. Moderna says that 9.7% of the participants felt tired and 4.5% had a headache.
The CDC reports that common side effects in the arm where the injection was given include:
Common side effects in the body include:
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Chills
- Fever
- Nausea
“The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the Modern COVID-19 vaccine need 2 injections to obtain maximum protection,” says the CDC. “You should have a second injection, even if you experience side effects after the first injection, unless a vaccination provider or your doctor tells you not to take it.”
To reduce pain at the injection site, the CDC recommends applying a damp, clean, cool cloth to the surface. Health officials also recommend using or exercising the injected arm.