Over-the-Counter Pain Medications Should Be Avoided Before Receiving a COVID-19 Vaccination

The COVID-19 vaccination is designed to elicit an immune response to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, teaching the body how to fight off infection. This immune response often materializes as fever, chills, headache, and fatigue. This is good news, the inoculation is working! Public health officials are encouraging individuals to avoid muting that immune response with over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen, before the vaccination. However, those who take such medications for health conditions should seek the advice of their physician first. Some experts suggest that these medications should be avoided after the injection as well, while others support the use of painkillers that don’t impact the immune response such as acetaminophen. For individuals who experience discomfort following the COVID-19 vaccination, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests applying a cool cloth to the injection site and gently moving the arm regularly. If the discomfort lasts for more than 24 hours, a medical professional should be contacted. Click here to read more.