A public health expert, Prof. Tanimola Akande has admonished Nigerians against taking painkillers before or after inoculation of the COVID-19 vaccine.
He explained that it was the only way to give the vaccine the best chance of stimulating the immune system.
According to the former National Chairman of the Association of Public Health Physicians of Nigeria, it is normal to feel some after-effects of vaccination such as fever, chills, or headache.
“No need for taking drugs unnecessarily. The temptation to take it in anticipation of the side effect of pain should be avoided.
“If there is pain post-vaccination, then analgesics may be indicated,” he said.
He maintained that there was no point in taking drugs unnecessarily if there is no indication.
In a similar case, a virology lecturer at the Department of Virology, University of Ibadan, Dr. Olusola Babatunde, said taking painkillers might interfere with the process of developing an immune-system response.
“When people are vaccinated the initial time, they will have a fever, which are signs of inflammation when the body is trying to recognise or being primed towards the vaccine. So, in the context, using a painkiller might interfere with the entire process.
“There are certain things that are side effects and there are certain things that are the adverse effects of the vaccine. So, if there are side effects, it’s fine; but by the time you are beginning to have adverse effects and adverse reactions, then the person will have to seek medical attention.
“Basically, you will have a fever when you take the vaccine, which shows that the body is responding to the vaccine and it should not be severe, it should be mild; but if there are adverse effects, then the person will have to seek medical attention,” he said.
