It is a known fact that the COVID-19 vaccine can cause some people to experience flu-like symptoms, a sore arm or other side effects. To avoid such discomfort, you may be tempted to take a painkiller before you get the chance.
However, according to experts, this is a mistake.
Dr Gregory Poland, an expert in infectious diseases and director of the vaccine research group at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, told AARP that the use of over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, may increase the effectiveness of the vaccine. reduce.
Poland is not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also warns against taking such medicines before vaccination.
Why the concern? Poland says some studies suggest a link between using this drug before vaccination and a reduced immune system response. This may mean that your body will have a harder time recognizing and fighting the COVID-19 infection in the future if it does occur.
The CDC, in turn, warns merely that ‘currently preventive routine administration of this drug for the prevention of symptoms after vaccination’ is not recommended, as it is currently unknown how the practice affects the antibody response by vaccine.
However, both Poland and the CDC say that it is good to take such medicine after receiving the vaccine if it can prevent side effects such as fever or pain at the injection site.
The evidence related to pre-vaccination use and a weakened immune response is also not conclusive. So if you are taking a painkiller to combat something like intense arthritis pain, you should talk to your doctor before receiving the vaccination, Poland says. In that case, it may make sense to take the medicine.
Currently, many pharmacies are delivering COVID-19 vaccines to people across the US. For more information, see “21 Pharmacy Chains Ready to Give COVID-19 Vaccines.”
Read “The next 5 groups that receive the COVID-19 vaccine” for more information on COVID-19. ”
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