Covid vaccines have some side effects, which are a sign that your immune system is working and getting protection against the virus. The common side effects of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccines include things like pain and swelling on your arm where you get the chance, and symptoms such as flu such as fatigue, headaches, fever and chills.
As you prepare for your expected vaccination appointment (to see your vaccination status, you can use NBC News to plan your vaccination tool), can you ask yourself if you can do something to alleviate these normal but uncomfortable side effects? . Here’s what you need to know.
Can you take Tylenol or ibuprofen after receiving the vaccine?
The Centers for Disease Control says that you can use painkillers, such as ibuprofen (such as Advil), aspirin, antihistamines or paracetamol (such as Tylenol), without medication if you have side effects after being vaccinated for Covid. As with any medication, the CDC recommends talking to your doctor first.
Do you need to take OTC medicine before getting the vaccine?
The use of OTC medication prior to admission to reduce symptoms is not recommended by the CDC as it is not clear how it may affect the effectiveness of the vaccine.
The concern is that treating pain medications that reduce fever and inflammation (such as paracetamol and ibuprofen) may dampen your immune system’s response to the vaccine.
This is because your immune system responds to vaccines through a process called ‘controlled inflammation,’ Dr. Colleen Kelley, an associate professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, told USA Today in January.
Covid messenger RNA vaccines work by giving cells genetic material that tells them how to make a non-infectious piece of the virus. The immune system then creates antibodies against it – which is controlled inflammation – and can remember how to elicit an immune response if exposed to the virus in the future.
But OTC painkillers “reduce the production of inflammatory mediators,” Kelley said. Therefore, it is important to wait until after you have received the vaccine (and started creating an inflammatory reaction) to use painkillers.
Research on children has shown that those who take paracetamol before getting vaccinated have a lower immune response than those who do not. And a recent study from Yale found that giving mice non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also known as “NSAIDS”) before they were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 led to less protective antibodies against the virus.
The exception is for people who normally use this type of OTC pain medication as part of their routine to deal with another medical condition. These people should normally continue, but should consult your doctor for additional guidance before receiving the vaccine, as there may be consequences for skipping medication.
Tips for treating side effects of the vaccine
In addition to using medication, there are some home remedies that can help you deal with the side effects. According to the CDC, you can apply a cool, wet cloth to the spot on your arm where the shot was given. Drinking plenty of fluids is wise if you are feverish, and if you wear lightweight clothing, it can also keep you comfortable.
After your vaccination, wait 15 minutes before leaving the site where you were vaccinated (or 30 minutes if you have anaphylaxis) to watch out for reactions or serious side effects.
According to the CDC, the side effects of the Covid vaccine should disappear within a few days. That said, in some cases, the side effects may affect your ability to manage your daily life, so you may want to plan accordingly.
Also good to know: more people are experiencing side effects from the second dose. This is because the first dose triggers an immune response, and the second dose boosts it.
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