Vaccine and paracetamol

[Twostepsbackagain]

Getting the Pfizer vaccine later in the week and have been told to take paracetamol beforehand and then every 6 hours or so. Does anyone know whether this actually helps and, if it does, how long before the jab do I take the paracetamol. Oh, and what dose of paracetamol? Thanks!

Never heard this. Surely you only take it if you have side effects and need to take it.

Yes I've heard this and lots of people I know did so. It's the same as when babies are jabbed,so it's in their systems by the time they have it. I did for the AZ too.

Weird. I thought you definitely weren't supposed to take it unless you really needed to, for relief of bad side effects afterwards? Yep - the official WHO advice states: "Taking painkillers such as paracetamol before receiving the COVID-19 vaccine to prevent side effects is not recommended. This is because it is not known how painkillers may affect how well the vaccine works. However, you may take paracetamol or other painkillers if you do develop side effects such as pain, fever, headache or muscle aches after vaccination."

Babies only need paracetamol as standard after injections at 8 weeks and 16 weeks I think, due to the MenB vaccine. Otherwise its not recommended to take it prophylactically and it can affect the immune response with some vaccines.

You can take pain relief if required afterwards if you have side effects. I never needed any

Can't see how it makes a difference 20 mins before or 20 mins after tbh

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

Yes I've heard this and lots of people I know did so. It's the same as when babies are jabbed,so it's in their systems by the time they have it. I did for the AZ too.

Vaccines shouldn’t be administered to babies if they have had paracetamol beforehand, as it can mask a potential temperature and mean they have a vaccine when they aren’t well enough. If it’s known they have had medicine, the vaccine should be refused.

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

Can't see how it makes a difference 20 mins before or 20 mins after tbh

It wouldn't. The official advice (CDC, WHO, NHS, etc) is not to take any pain killers unless you need them after the vaccine, and no-one would be having side effects 20 minutes after the jab...

My mum told me to take paracetamol before my Pfizer jab and I completely forgot, I don’t think it would make much difference. I took it the day after because my arm was sore and I wanted to sleep on it but that’s it

People can have side effects immediately after the jab, that's why you have to wait for 15 mins.

I felt almost instantly nauseous which lasted well over a week and the nurse who did it said that was really common when I went for my second.

People can have side effects immediately after the jab, that's why you have to wait for 15 mins.

Pretty sure that's to watch for far more serious reaction than the sort of side effects that you'd be wanting to pop a couple of paracetamol for...like going into anaphylaxis. Not really relevant to the OP's post.

Thank you for all the comments. It was actually a HCP who mentioned this to me but having read above comments re official advice, won't be taking it.

I didn't take anything before but I took paracetamol afterwards just in case and ibuprofen as well due to the ache in my arm.