CDC: Don’t Take Painkillers Before COVID-19 Vaccine  

Amy Barczy

| 2 min read

Amy Barczy is a former brand journalist who authored content at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Prior to her time at Blue Cross from 2019-2024, she was a statewide news reporter for MLive.com. She has a decade of storytelling experience in local news media markets including Lansing, Grand Rapids, Holland, Ann Arbor and Port Huron.

Woman wearing a mask receiving a vaccine
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are advising people to not take over the counter painkillers like Tylenol or Advil BEFORE getting a COVID-19 vaccine. The two COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use are associated with some possible side effects, including pain and swelling at the injection site, fever, chills, tiredness and headache. Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine in an attempt to avoid any side effects is not recommended by the CDC at this time. That’s due to the new nature of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, which use mRNA to trigger an immune response in the body. The use of mRNA vaccines is new and while deemed safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there is no information currently available on how the body’s response to the vaccine would be affected by such medications. However, the CDC advises drugs like Tylenol or Advil can be taken AFTER receiving the vaccine to cope with any side effects that may occur. Individuals planning to get the COVID-19 vaccine and who are already taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug as a part of their treatment plan shouldn’t make changes to their medication regimen without first talking to their primary care provider.  This content has been reviewed and approved by Dr. S. George Kipa, deputy chief medical officer at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. More from MIBluesPerspectives: 
Photo credit: bluecinema    

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

0 Comments

MI Blues Perspectives is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association