Many people, in anticipation of an uncomfortable medical event, may take something for pain ahead of time. But some doctors warn against doing so before the COVID-19 vaccine.
Not enough is known about painkillers like Tylenol or Advil, and how it can interact with COVID-19 vaccines.
The vaccine triggers the immune system to build a response to COVID-19. And since some painkillers are anti-inflammatory, they can affect the immune system by reacting as usual.
The theory is that it may reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine.
“Another reason why it is helpful not to medicate yourself in advance is that you can really pay attention to your symptoms and not obscure them,” said Dr. Jewel Mullen, dean of the Health Equity Association of Dell Medical School, said.
Mullen is also a lawyer for not making medicine in advance. She says it’s a different story if you feel after the shot or have a fever.
Mullen received her first dose of the vaccine and kept moving her arm the next day to work out the pain.
“The more we choose something that is not really injured, it also strengthens for us psychologically that something is wrong with us or that something is wrong with it. And it’s such a short-term side effect; there is no reason to stop making things move better, ”Mullen said.
If you regularly use painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs for other problems, it is best to talk to your doctor about using them with the COVID-19 vaccines.
Mullen is more concerned about people getting inaccurate information about vaccines.
‘I am grateful for all the success of the medical research and science that we have found this vaccine in a safe. “Scientific way so that we can feel safe that we are doing something to protect people along the way,” Mullen said.