The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do Before Getting a Vaccine, According to Infectious Disease Experts
Vaccines are an essential part of keeping yourself and others healthy, but there are some guidelines to actually getting vaccinations that can determine how effective they'll be for you—and if you're going through the discomfort of getting a needle to begin with, you'll want to make sure you're not sabotaging it!
Parade consulted with several physicians and infectious disease experts on what to avoid before getting a vaccine, and they agreed that there is one thing you should never, ever do before getting vaccinated.
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The One Thing You Should Never, Ever Do Before Getting a Vaccine, According to Infectious Disease Experts
Ready for this? You should never lie about your health history before getting a vaccine. "Do not withhold your health history from the health care professional administering your vaccines," Dr. Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, MD, MS, medical expert and CEO of Dr. Nesochi LLC internal medicine practice, told us.
There are myriad reasons for this.
"Before receiving any vaccine, there is usually a questionnaire given to patients to screen for contraindications to certain vaccines," Dr. Okeke-Igbokwe explained. "The screening will ask about any past allergic reactions to vaccines, pregnancy status, and other pertinent health-related questions. Patients should be forthcoming with answering these questions accurately to ensure there is no contraindication for any particular vaccine. For example, pregnant patients should inform the health care professional administering vaccines about pregnancy status since live vaccines are contraindicated during pregnancy."
There are other things to nix before getting vaccines as well.
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Avoid anti-inflammatory medications
Doctors also advise against taking certain medications before getting a vaccine (though obviously, check with your own physician and care team to determine what's best for you).
"Avoid taking acetaminophen, ibuprofen, diphenhydramine or similar drugs just prior to getting the vaccine," Dr. David Cutler, MD, board-certified family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., told Parade. "These medications can be taken, if necessary, after getting the vaccine if warranted by any reaction to the vaccine."
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Don't tense your muscles
If you're nervous about needles (we feel you!), you might tighten up or fidget when getting a vaccine—but this is actually counterproductive.
"Make sure you relax the area and muscle where the shot is headed and do your best to stay still," Dr. Richard A. Martinello, MD, professor of medicine (infectious diseases) and pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine, tells us. "This will minimize the trauma to the muscle and limit any discomfort after vaccination."
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Don't drink alcohol before a vaccine
If you feel like you need a shot before a shot, we get it! Needles can be terrifying. But please find another way to assuage your nerves, because this ain't it.
"Heavy alcohol consumption can dehydrate you and weaken your immune function, making side effects feel worse," Dr. Eve Elizabeth Pennie, MD, physician and epidemiologist for DrugWatch, warns. "Staying hydrated helps reduce the chances of dizziness and other side effects."
You'll also want to avoid alcohol for a day or so afterward.
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Don't pull an all-nighter before getting a vaccine
"Aim for a solid seven to eight hours of sleep the night before; rested bodies respond better to vaccines," Dr. Pennie said. "This is crucial in prioritizing your health and ensuring the vaccine’s efficacy."
Don't go too hard at the gym before getting vaccinated
This is one of the rare times that you have a good excuse to be a little lazy in your workout—but don't skip it entirely.
"Strenuous exercise can add unnecessary stress to your body, which may make your post-vaccine experience more uncomfortable," Dr. Pennie notes. You may want to lighten your weights, for example, or eschew HIIT for brisk walking and yoga, to make sure the vaccine doesn't knock you out later — which can make you miss workouts entirely.
Don't try new supplements before getting a vaccine
If you're considering trying a new vitamin, supplement or other substance for the first time that your doctor hasn't prescribed or recommended, listen to your inner Dua Lipa: Don't start now.
"Now isn't the time to try that new herbal tea or supplement," Dr. Pennie advised. "Some can interact with your immune system in unpredictable ways."
Don't get a vaccine if you're sick (unless your doctor says otherwise)
"Wait until you are over a cold or illness to boost efficacy and talk to your doctor to make sure you don’t have any chronic conditions that might prevent max efficacy," Dr. Richelle Guerrero-Wooley, MD, infectious disease expert at Loma Linda University Health, told us.
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