After the corona vaccination, flu-like vaccination reactions can occur. Many people take painkillers to relieve symptoms such as headaches, fever or fatigue. However, these are suspected of reducing the effectiveness and antibody formation of the corona vaccination.
Shortly after the corona vaccination , vaccination reactions that last a few days can occur within two days . Such vaccination reactions are completely normal and show that the immune system is working and the body is producing antibodies. However, in some people, especially younger people, reactions can be stronger.
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Vaccination reactions after corona vaccination are not uncommon
According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the most common vaccination reactions are
- pain at the injection site,
- exhaustion,
- Headache,
- muscle pain and chills,
- joint pain,
- nausea and vomiting
- and fever and chills.
Depending on the vaccine, the vaccination reactions are different. Headaches and fever are more common with the Biontech/Pfizer vaccine compared to other substances. Pain at the injection site is more common with the Moderna vaccine. To relieve the flu-like symptoms, many people use painkillers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol after the vaccination. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) also advises this. An
official information sheet on the corona vaccination states:
You don’t have to take it easy after the vaccination. If there is pain or fever after the vaccination, pain-relieving/fever-reducing medication (e.g. paracetamol) can be taken. Your family doctor can advise you on this.
Painkillers after corona vaccination can impair effectiveness
However, there are now dissenting voices advising against taking it directly after the vaccination : Deutsches Ärzteblatt reported on a Canadian working group headed by Dr. Mahyar Etminan , pharmacologist from the University of British Columbia at Vancouver. In a recent publication, the scientists warn that it cannot be ruled out that drugs such as ibuprofen or paracetamol could impair the effectiveness of the Covid 19 vaccination and that the suppressed immune reaction could theoretically reduce antibody formation.
Etminan and his team base their findings on a much-discussed study in the Lancet that showed that taking paracetamol at the same time to prevent side effects of vaccination in a cohort of children reduced antibody titers. In addition, the scientists referred to the recommendation of the World Health Organization, which stated in 2015 that the use of antipyretics and painkillers before or at the time of vaccination is not recommended, but is permitted in the days after vaccination.
After corona vaccination: only take painkillers after six hours
Also in this debate, Dr. Thomas Herdegen, deputy director of the Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Kiel. Speaking to the Deutsches Ärzteblatt , he said that painkillers could not only weaken the Covid 19 vaccination, but many vaccinations. Painkillers such as ibuprofen, aspirin or paracetamol have inhibitors that weaken the flu-like side effects of a vaccination . However, it is unclear “whether and to what extent such a reduction weakens the immune response in a clinically relevant manner,” says Herdegen. However, he recommends taking painkillers after six hours at the earliest , “when the primary processes of immunization have expired.”
Also worth reading: Natural painkillers – the best alternatives to ibuprofen & Co >>
Do not take painkillers before vaccination
Prophylactic use of painkillers before vaccination is also not recommended. Ibuprofen, aspirin or paracetamol can affect antibody formation because they contain inhibitors which, although they reduce the vaccine reaction, also impair antibody formation.
You can find out more about this here: Why you shouldn’t take any painkillers before the corona vaccination >>
