States continue to expand eligibility requirements for the coronavirus vaccine, which means that your chance of getting vaccinated may be coming soon. However, making the photo is only part of the process. There are important things to keep in mind before and after vaccination to ensure that you are safe and that the vaccine is effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now emphasize that you should not take this after the vaccine without a doctor’s permission first. Read on to find out what requires a doctor’s approval and for more vaccine guidance, The CDC says don’t do this within 2 weeks of your COVID vaccine.
Side effects are common and normal after receiving the COVID vaccine, according to the CDC. You may experience pain, headache, muscle pain or fever, and all of these can make you look for pain relievers. However, in a March 5 update, the CDC emphasized that you need to speak to your doctor first before “taking over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin or antihistamines” after the vaccine. Although this notice has been on the site before, it is now in bold for emphasis.
These drugs include widely used pain relievers and fever reducers, such as Motrin and Advil (which are brands of ibuprofen) and Tylenol (which is a brand of paracetamol). While these pills can alleviate post-vaccination side effects, your doctor can help you decide whether they are safe for you to take after the injection. And for more medications to consult your doctor, if you take this common medication, talk to a doctor before the vaccine.
However, medication is not the only way to alleviate post-vaccination side effects. According to the CDC, if you want to reduce the pain and discomfort at the injection site, you can “apply a clean, cold, damp towel over the area”. The agency also suggests that you use or exercise your arm to help relieve pain. If you have a fever after vaccination, the CDC recommends drinking plenty of fluids and wearing light clothing to reduce the discomfort of the fever. And for more information on vaccine preparation, doctors say they do these two things on the morning of their vaccine appointment.
While the CDC says post-vaccination OTC medication is okay with a doctor’s approval, the agency says “it is not recommended that you take these drugs before vaccination for the purpose of trying to prevent side effects”. It is not yet known how these drugs can affect your response to vaccination.
“There are some small studies in children related to regular vaccines – not COVID vaccines – that may indicate that taking ibuprofen or paracetamol before receiving the vaccine may slightly reduce the antibody response,” William Schaffner, MD, infectious disease specialist and professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, explained to Prevention. “But no one really knows if it has any clinical significance and it has never been studied on a clinical scale.” And for the most up-to-date information, subscribe to our daily newsletter.
The CDC recognizes that the side effects that can arise after the COVID vaccination may “affect your ability to perform daily activities”, but should only last for a few days. However, if your side effects are worrying you or don’t seem to be disappearing on your own, the CDC says you should see a doctor or health care professional. You should also contact a medical professional “if the redness or tenderness at the injection site worsens after 24 hours,” according to CDC guidelines. And for more information about vaccine reactions, if it happens after your vaccine, the FDA says you should call 911.