Worried I’ve made vaccine ineffective by taking paracetamols

[Eeeeeps]

Just that really…

I have severe health anxiety (I’m sure this post will make that obvious). The pandemic has been hell and I hoped I’d finally start to be able to live again after my second vaccine.

I was very anxious about the side effects people supposedly get after the second Pfizer. I spoke to a few different people who were all told to take paracetamol right after their vaccination and keep taking it every four hours and they didn’t get any side effects.

I took some paracetamol about 20 minutes after my jab (in fairness my arm was very sore and it bled a fair amount) and then again four hours later. After that, I read up and saw that it says taking paracetamol can reduce its effectiveness so didn’t take any more but I’m worried it’s too late.

I haven’t had any side effects yet and I’m worried I’ve made the vaccine ineffective by being stupid and taking paracetamol so soon after the jab. I didn’t even think to read up on it because I thought some paracetamol would be harmless.

A bit of blood means they've hit a capillary, nothing to worry about. The vaccine goes into the muscle & will still do that.

Thank you again everyone

A babies immune system is very different to an adults OP. You absolutely couldn’t draw a comparison from a study on babies to one on adults. They have basically zero immune system at the point they are vaccinated, hence the vaccines!

My arm bled after my first and bruised terribly. I mentioned this to the doctor who did my second and he said it's very common as lots of blood vessels near the surface of the arm. He took his time the second time and you couldn't even tell where I'd had it done!

@Multizero

You ridiculous human being. Get some mental help.

No, it isn’t.

Paracetamol is fine. It won't affect anything.

I took two seriously strong immunosuppressants after my covid vaccine - the nurses were concerned about that with good reason... A painkiller ? Nope you're fine!

The NHS is relying on mass vaccination being successful in order to hopefully stop the hospitals being as shockingly overwhelmed as they still are being. Think about it logically outside of the anxiety for a sec. If paracetamol was going to make the vaccine less effective, NHS drs and nurses wouldn't be telling you to take it and make the vaccine less effective would they!

the new Mumsnetter Virologist Pop-up Team

It does seem to be the case that half of MN are suddenly experts!

OP, it's nothing to worry about, promise. I have rheumatoid arthritis and was having a particularly bad day when I went for my first vaccination. I had to take two 30/500 cocodamol before I went out or I'd not have been in any fit state to go anywhere. Mentioned it to the nurse and she said it was fine, and fine to take more when I got home.

I'm so sorry you've had such a rough time with your HA - a pandemic must really stretch it to the limit

Not sure what the deleted posts are but maybe it’s best I don’t!

Thank you again everyone, I really appreciate it and you’ve put my mind at rest. Hopefully I didn’t somehow magically deactivate the vaccine with paracetamol

I took 2 paracetamols and 2 ibuprofen just before my first dose because I was so anxious that they would take my temperature and send me home without a vaccine for being a menopausal woman who has rushed to the vaccine centre desperate for a vaccine.
Then I worried like you that I had totally ruined the vaccine effect.
To put my mind at rest, after the second dose I took an antibody test and the result was strong antibody response - so the vaccine had worked very well.
So you will be fine and no need to worry. Just enjoy the feeling of being vaccinated and safer than before!

@user98765461

I took 2 paracetamols and 2 ibuprofen just before my first dose because I was so anxious that they would take my temperature and send me home without a vaccine for being a menopausal woman who has rushed to the vaccine centre desperate for a vaccine. Then I worried like you that I had totally ruined the vaccine effect. To put my mind at rest, after the second dose I took an antibody test and the result was strong antibody response - so the vaccine had worked very well. So you will be fine and no need to worry. Just enjoy the feeling of being vaccinated and safer than before!

Thank you very much. I’m glad you understand and glad your vaccine was effective! Thank you for sharing ☺️

@namechangeandNC

Paracetamol is fine. It won't affect anything.

I took two seriously strong immunosuppressants after my covid vaccine - the nurses were concerned about that with good reason... A painkiller ? Nope you're fine!

The NHS is relying on mass vaccination being successful in order to hopefully stop the hospitals being as shockingly overwhelmed as they still are being. Think about it logically outside of the anxiety for a sec. If paracetamol was going to make the vaccine less effective, NHS drs and nurses wouldn't be telling you to take it and make the vaccine less effective would they!

Thank you, when I think about it logically I know you’re right. Thank you for sharing your experience with me.

@GoldFrankensteinAndGrrr

the new Mumsnetter Virologist Pop-up Team

It does seem to be the case that half of MN are suddenly experts!

OP, it's nothing to worry about, promise. I have rheumatoid arthritis and was having a particularly bad day when I went for my first vaccination. I had to take two 30/500 cocodamol before I went out or I'd not have been in any fit state to go anywhere. Mentioned it to the nurse and she said it was fine, and fine to take more when I got home.

I'm so sorry you've had such a rough time with your HA - a pandemic must really stretch it to the limit

Thank you very much for replying, that does really help and I’m very grateful you replied.

I took antihistamines and my asthma inhaler before getting jabbed, and alcohol a few hours afterwards, then paracetamol the following morning. For the side-effects of the booze, not the jab.

I still haven’t caught Covid