Many people take aspirin or ibuprofen before receiving vaccines, but health experts say painkillers and the COVID-19 vaccine may not be a good combination.
They say that common over-the-counter pain relievers, like ibuprofen and paracetamol, can reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine if you take them before you get the injection.
Common side effects like mild fever, headache or pain at the injection site are actually proof that the vaccine is working, not just those in COVID-19. Painkillers are meant to weaken these side effects, but they can also weaken the vaccine’s effectiveness in your body.
“If we are inhibiting the fever, it may be inhibiting the development of some of these normal antibodies, which will give us protection against COVID-19 or influenza or any other number of vaccines we should be taking,” said FGCU Assistant physician, director of studies, Robert Hawkes.
Hawkes said there is a major exception to this approach to painkillers and the COVID-19 vaccine.
“If you have been prescribed or asked by your provider to take one of these medications regularly, do not stop before getting the vaccine, continue to take it as normal,” he said.
He said it was okay to take painkillers after receiving the vaccine. If you want a more natural alternative, try placing a cold compress or warm cloth over the injection site.