Many people can take something for pain ahead of time in anticipation of a potentially uncomfortable medical event. But some doctors warn not to do that before the COVID-19 vaccine.
Not enough is known yet about pain relievers like Tylenol or Advil, and how they can interact with COVID-19 vaccines.
The vaccine stimulates the immune system to build a response to COVID-19. And since some painkillers are anti-inflammatories, that can affect the immune system to respond as it normally would.
The theory is that it could decrease the effectiveness of the vaccine.
“Another reason it’s helpful not to pre-medicate yourself is that you can really watch what your symptoms are and not mask them,” said Dr. Jewel Mullen, dean of the Health Equity Association at Dell Medical School.
Mullen is also a proponent of pre-medication. She says after the injection that if you have pain or a fever that’s a different story.
Mullen received her first dose of the vaccine and continued to rotate her arm the next day to help with the pain.
“The more we prefer something that is not really completely injured, it also strengthens for us psychologically that something is wrong with us or that there is something wrong with it. And this is such a short term side effect, there’s no reason to stop moving things around and make them feel better, ”said Mullen.
If you regularly take painkillers or anti-inflammatories 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’m grateful for all the success of the medical research and science that put this vaccine in a safe. A science-based way, so we can feel confident that we are doing something along the way to protect people, ”said Mullen.