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Gel capsules containing ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
AP/Shutterstock
In anticipation of run-of-the-mill discomfort, some people are taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen before heading to their COVID-19 vaccination appointments. But doing so has raised worries about inadvertently dampening the immune system and losing some vaccine protection.
The recent buzz may center around a study on the topic published January 19th, even though the research only looked at immune responses in mice and human cells growing in petri dishes. Plus, as more and more people get their second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, you may hear about some mild side effects such as nausea, fatigue, and low-grade fever. These symptoms are more common after the second shot than the first, and doctors say this discomfort typically subsides within a day or two.