As many folks are scheduling their boosters now that the updated Omicron-adapted formulations are available for folks 12 years and older, we wanted to drop a hot tip for ya! Per the CDC: If you do not regularly take ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen medications, it is recommended that you do not take them before you get a COVID-19 vaccination. Because of the lack of high-quality studies on taking Tylenol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin before getting a vaccine, the CDC and other health organizations recommend not taking them before vaccination. It is not known how these over-the-counter (OTC) medicines might affect how well our bodies mount an immune response after vaccination (it is hypothesized that pain relievers might cause a weaker response to the vaccine)- so they're erring on the side of caution with this recommendation. However, if your healthcare provider has advised that you take these medications on a regular basis, it could be risky for you to abruptly stop taking them. For example, stopping a daily low-dose aspirin can raise your risk of heart problems or blood clots. Stopping regular NSAIDs for arthritis or other conditions can worsen your condition or cause a flare-up of symptoms. You should speak to your healthcare provider about whether you should continue taking them while receiving your COVID-19 vaccine. They will review your medical history and risk factors and advise whether you should stop taking them a few days beforehand. After your vaccine, however, it is perfectly fine to take OTC medicines to many any side effects or discomfort. Hope this helps!