Community Chat

[SeaMaiden]

I edited this from the ABC news page so it would be compliant with the rules here. You can go to ABCnews.go.com if you want to see the article. 

covid 19 vaccinesfrom Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna are being offered to an increasing number of people. Vaccine recipients typically experience minimal side effects -- the most common being temporary pain and swelling at the injection site, fevers, chills, tiredness, muscle aches and pains and headaches.

While these side effects are generally a minor nuisance to most people, some attempt to prevent them by taking common over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (e.g., Motrin, Advil) beforehand. However, experts said these medications might not just dull the pain, but they may dull the vaccine

“We do not recommend premedication with ibuprofen or Tylenol before COVID-19 vaccines due to the lack of data on how it impacts the vaccine-induced antibody responses,” Dr. Simone Wildes, an infectious disease specialist at South Shore Medical Center and a member of Massachusetts’ COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group, told ABC News.

The side effects from the vaccines are caused by activation of the immune system, meaning that the immune system is working and starting to build immunity to COVID-19 -- this is what we want. These pain relievers may prevent parts of the immune system from working and slow down the immune response. There is a theory that taking these medications before immunization may reduce their effectiveness.

A study from Duke University found that children who took pain relievers before getting their childhood vaccines had fewer antibodies than those who did not take the medications, which could mean less protection. However, there were still protective antibody levels, despite the blunting.

David Ryder/Getty Images

“You always would like an optimal response to your vaccine,” Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist and professor of preventative medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told ABC News. “We are recommending that unless people have a substantial reaction to the first dose that they hold their [pain killers]."

"The vast majority of people have a bit of a sore arm," said Schaffner, "but otherwise, they feel pretty well.”

While experts recommend against taking over-the-counter pain relievers before getting the vaccine, they say you should continue taking them if you are already doing so for another medical condition. Schaffner warned that stopping these medications could cause unintended problems and be more harmful than beneficial.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that after getting your shot, you should monitor for the side effects. As pain relievers and fever reducers are not intended for use before symptoms appear, talk to your doctor before vaccination to decide if you should take any over-the-counter pain relievers after receiving the shot.

Other, more natural ways to reduce pain and discomfort include: applying a clean, cool, wet washcloth over the injection site and moving or exercising your arm. And for a fever, drink plenty of fluids and dress lightly.

“If fever, chills, headaches develop after injection,” use pain relievers to help with your symptoms, but not before they develop and report any significant side effects to a medical professional

[1Professor]

@SeaMaiden   As a researcher, I found this information fabulous! Such a simple thing, yet I might well have taken an over-the-counter pain pill, either just before or just after.

I shall, instead (when they get around to my group), celebrate any pain as "There, it's working!"

[Nonametoday]

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@1Professor wrote:

@SeaMaiden   As a researcher, I found this information fabulous! Such a simple thing, yet I might well have taken an over-the-counter pain pill, either just before or just after.

I shall, instead (when they get around to my group), celebrate any pain as "There, it's working!"

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@1Professor Thanks for the information.  Its amazing what we don't know about this vaccination and what we are learning as we go.  

[Tessa Mendoza]

Very interesting info.  I was actually wondering about this just yesterday.  Dr. Jen Ashton, on GMA at Noon, said she had pretty significant side effects after the 2nd shot and took 2 asperins in the morning, then 2 Advils in the afternoon and then felt better.  Maybe she wasn't aware of this.

Thanks for posting, SeaMaiden! 

[NickNack]

I hope I remember this when it's my turn to get the vaccine!

[noodleann]

This is conjecture as far as the COVID-19 vaccines go, right? "There is a theory . . ."? 

I recall reading about test subjects taking OTC  pain relievers to deal with some of the transitory aftereffects during the trials. I would have thought that if doing so was actually an issue, the warning would have come from Pfizer and/or Moderna weeks ago.

This whole thing brings to mind the Not Ready For Prime Time Players, but it's anything but funny. It's so slapdash and amateurish.

[on the bay]

@SeaMaiden -

Thanks so much for posting this information. I would not have known about it either.

We are all learning new things about this every day! 

[nova]

@SeaMaiden  Thank you!  My local CBS news station teased the story earlier today but I never got to see it on tv.   Interesting because Tylenol is usually the 1 medication that can be taken without worry.  Praying we will all get the vaccine sooner than later.

[Ladybug724]

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@on the bay wrote:

@SeaMaiden -

Thanks so much for posting this information. I would not have known about it either.

We are all learning new things aobut this every day! 

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Yes and this is what scares me.

I don't meet any of the criteria to recieve a vaccination anytime soon, and that's fine with me. I hope you don't slam me for this, but I'm really concerned that the vaccine was developed so quickly - we don't know any long term effects it will have. I don't have a very good feeling about it.

[on the bay]

@Ladybug724 -

I know others in my family who have concerns too so don't feel like you are alone in those.

I heard one doctor say today that trying to convince or force people's opinions on getting the vaccine will  not be helpful, or persuasive.

For me, strangely, I don't have those concerns mostly because I think covd 19 is not the way I would want to go, the farthest down the list of choices!

And though I don't ususally get any other vaccines, except the flu shot once when I had a new grandchild, I will be so relieved to get this one.

At least I will feel somewhat if not all protected and that I am protecting others by not getting the virus, (even though nothing is 100% guaranteed)

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I wonder if younger people and or depending on how much exposure in daily life people have affects their decision. I'm sure it does.

I am not very trusting of just going along with whatever doctors say or whatever medication they prescribe either. So this is unusual for me.

I would normally feel the same that I would want to wait to see long term effects or even short term effects but especially with the variants now that are more contageous and deadly, it is more frightening to me than the vaccines which so far have shown such promise.