Experts warn that painkillers such as aspirin, Tylenol or ibuprofen without prescription can not dull the effectiveness of coronavirus vaccines.
As the US continues to introduce vaccines from both Pfizer / BioNTech and Moderna to the general public, recipients have reported minor side effects, such as temporary pain, which has prompted some to use preventative painkillers before vaccination.
But several experts who spoke to ABC News on Wednesday warned that this practice could hamper the body’s ability to form antibodies that protect against COVID-19.
“We do not recommend premedication with ibuprofen or Tylenol for COVID-19 vaccines, due to the lack of data on how it affects antibody responses,” said Dr. Simone Wildes, an infectious disease expert and member of COVID-19, Massachusetts. Vaccine Advisory Group, the network said.
The concerns stem from a study conducted at Duke University, which found that children who used painkillers before being vaccinated regularly produced fewer antibodies.
The CDC has also introduced guidelines that advise people receiving the vaccine to monitor their side effects and to try natural methods of pain relief before focusing on painkillers.
“If fever, chills, headache develop after the injection, use painkillers to help your symptoms, but not before they develop and report any significant side effects to a medical professional,” said Dr. Wildes said.