M1, Marta, Any Other MD or NP, Etc. Need Expertise

Jo C.

Hello and thank you if you know the answer to this off-topic question: 

I am scheduled to receive my first COVID vaccination on Monday.  I know not to take Ibuprofen or Tylenol prior to being vaccinated as they can lessen the robustness of the vaccine effect, and I am good with that.

BUT:   I am on Bactrim for an infection

I know if someone is on an antibiotic it is okay to go ahead and be vaccinated; it will not hurt the patient.  However , , , ,

Question:  Will the antibiotic lessen the robustness of the vaccine as Advil or Tylenol can?

I have looked and looked and Googled like mad, but cannot find answer. My MD unsure.

Any information or input would be appreciated. 

J.

Marta

Hi, Jo. At this point we just do not have this data, yet. However, based on the mechanisms of action of COVID vaccine and sulfonamides, one would not expect interference.

Jo C.

Thank you Marta.  I had even called the pharmacy at a large med center and spoke to the pharmacist who consulted with the other pharmacists; they had no idea; had not run into that question dor info in their literature, and now they are curious

Your assessment makes sense, so hope it is fine.  Bad knees or not, I will not take any Advil or Tylenol the day before and the day of the vaccination. 

Thank you for the input.

J.

King Boo

Smart of you Jo to think ahead.  I stupidly did not - took a tylenol for a sore arm for my second Pfizer shot.  Heard about not taking it long after......

jfkoc

I would not take before or after since they do not know. I do not want to dull the effectiveness of the vaccine.

Ed1937

Jo, I wonder if a pharmacist would have more info on that. Good to see you posting again!

M1

Jo I do not think the Bactrim will interfere at all--go right ahead.  Tylenol should be okay after the vaccination if needed, it's the NSAID's like ibuprofen that are more likely to interfere with the inflammatory response.  Glad you've got an appointment---

Jo C.

Thanks M1, Marta and all; isn't it funny how we suddenly think of such things.  I really will not take Advil or Tylenol the day prior to and the day of the vaccination. Since Advil is an anti-inflammatory, as M1 says, I imagine that it may hinder the full robustness of the vaccine's effectiveness.

I do however wonder how long it should be before one takes Tylenol after the vaccination. I thought to not take any until the day after the vax, but do not know the "rule.."

I really wonder how long it should be before one can take Advil if knees should act up something awful.

According to the CDC, it is fine to take these two meds after vaccination, but they do not say how long "after;" if that is the same day or later. 

Interesting in that the pharmacists at the major med center near me did not know and had not thought about different abx and how that may or may not make a difference with vaccination.  They are going to look into that for their own knowledge, but my guess is that there is nothing out there re that as this is all so new.

It took me forever it seemed to find appointments for vaccination.  Everything overwhelmed and sites were down.  I used everything I could think of and then some. It was a pharmacist who clued me into something in our area that is not well known.  I persisted and finally got through and success!   I think our vaccine will be Moderna.

I am very wary of this as I have a list of allergies to meds, but it should be okay.  Still cannot help myself - chicken little - wary as can be, but it is important to do this.

So hope that the vaccine will soon be readily available.  With Johnson & Johnson coming out and Pfizer ramping up production, that should help. But then we need the cities to get their acts together.

The RN in our physician's office volunteered her time at the huge car vaccination set-up at the Forum in LA.  She said it was SO busy and cars lined up as far as one could see. They did have that 15 minute or 30 minute wait time after the vaccination, but heck; people were in cars.  Supposedly, if there was a problem, one was supposed to honk their car horn.   They had RNs with a med cart to deal with allergy.  Still . . . . what if one was too sick to honk the car horn and there were so many cars . . . that's me, always looking for the potential problem issues.  Sigh.

Our first responder son had a headache, chills and severe fatigue after his second vaccination; he actually slept for 16 hours.   Other son who works in hospitals said he was very fatigued, "so tired," and also had a bothersome headache; it lasted for a day or so and then all was okay.

Big question is; how long will the vaccine be effective . . . . and of course, those dratted mutations . . . . hopefully the present vaccine will be helpful even with the mutants.  It will take time to know with certainty.

This sometimes seems like a very, very bad sci-fi movie.  If only someone would call, "CUT!"

Let's all stay well and careful.  M1 and Marta, are you both still in clinical settings at this time?  I think of you and so hope all is okay.

J.

Donr

My wife takes Bactrim. We had our first shot 3 weeks ago. She had no side effects. On the instruction sheet it did not mention to not take a antibiotic.

Lorita

Jo, I'm in the same boat as you - except I don't have an appointment. I want to know a little more about things before I dive in.  I haven't heard anything much about the vaccinations around here except one woman who has had hers and had a sore arm for a day or so.  Carol and her husband have appointments on the 10th.  I've heard a lot of talk yesterday and this morning about the variants and that the vaccines may not be able to take care of the mutations.  If they weren't and you'd already had both injections, would you have to take more?  I feel safe out here by myself and won't be around people unless absolutely necessary so I think I'll sit tight for a bit - maybe that's sticking my head in the sand.  Johnson & Johnson vaccine sounds good - especially the part that it's 100% effective at preventing hospitalizations and death.  Guess it'll just take time to get it all figured out.   I kind of tend to think of things that might go wrong and questions I have that aren't being answered.    Jo, when is your appointment?

Jo C.

Clarification:   My one and only concern re vaccination is that I have quite a list of medication sensitivities/allergies and am hoping I do not have any issue with an allergic reaction to the vaccine (as in anaphylaxis.)  This is the only reason I am feeling wary.  There should be no problem at all, but me being who I am, I get wary.  

My question re Bactrim and the vaccine was only to find out if being on an antbiotic might make the vaccination results a little less robust as some common meds can cause this effect, such as, Ibuprofen.   No studies re this with abx, but CDC direction as well as other specialists advise not taking Ibuprofen or Tylenol pror to the exam so it does not diminish the vaccine's effect; as said, this advice comes from multiple specialists in field. 

Lorita, I wholeheartedly agree with being vaccinated, wouldn't dream of not doing it considering the risks to myself and to others.  Yes; you are out on your ranch, but you do have to go off ranch for business and needs purchases; sometimes you have people helping or doing work on the  ranch; you have delivery of groceries, mail packages - with this, people and surfaces are involved, etc.    While you are much of the time alone with the animals, no one is an island unto themselves.   Considering the risk if one contracts COVID;   I prefer to err on the side of having a vaccination.   Your situation must be up to you for what you are comfortable with.   You may also want to ask your physician about your situation and concerns.

Our vaccination appointment is at a clinic tomorrow, Monday, at 1:00 pm.  I will get jabbed, (I think it is the Moderna Vaccine),  then observed for 30 minutes because I have drug sensitivities, then home.  May have a sore arm, but that is okay . . . . that usually goes away in about three days. 

In two weeks, if my body follows the usual outcome for this vaccine, I will have 80+ percent protection after the first vaccination.  After the second vaccination, it will be about 97%.  Should I contract COVID, it will protect me from the very worst of the disease.   Still need to mask and distance, but if the virus is contracted, then my depth and breadth of illness should be far less severe.

In different reports re Johnson & Johnson vaccine, it either provides 66% to 85% protection 28 days after vaccination .  It is still in the approval process.

 Here is an excellent link comparing all three vaccines and much other information:

 https://www.kqed.org/science/1972627/the-differences-between-the-pfizer-moderna-and-johnson-johnson-coronavirus-vaccines-explained 

As for protecting against the mutations, all vaccines report that they do offer "some" protection, but none of these vaccines have had a controlled large study to provide sufficient information.   Too new, we just do not know.  The above link also discusses that.

When J & J's vaccine is approved, it will be a monumental boon for the third world countries and other isolated areas - it is does not require refrigeration, and it is in one dose only.   It is made from killed virus particles; the other two vaccines are not, they are based on monoclonal antibodies which the above link describes.

So; off I go tomorrow.  If I have no anaphylaxis, I will be delighted and looking forward to my second vaccination 28 days later.  All of this will continue to evolve and evolve and evolve.  It is all so new and science is running as fast as it can to keep up.

 J.

JJAz

Hi Jo,

Glad you're scheduled for your vaccine.  In your shoes, I'd take the vaccine now and then watch as research develops.  If it shows that your response was likely reduced, you can get another vaccine at a later date.

Blessings,

Jamie

Marta

Hi, Jo.  Yes,  I am working full time in Primary Care. In the early days of the pandemic I volunteered to start/ staff a  COVID clinic. Soon some younger providers without pre-existing conditions stepped up to relieve me. We see patients with symptoms/exposure by telehealth now, and direct them to drive-through testing sites. A patient told me last week that this is the only time his doctor hasn’t wanted to see him BECAUSE he is ill!

Jo C.

Follow up:  It is done and all is well; not a single side effect.   Have to say, on the way to the clinic setting, I was really feeling trepidation because I have allergies/sensitivities to 14 different meds and am deadly allergic to scallops.

If I did not have the allergies/sensitivities, I would have not worried at all.  We were double masked.

The clinic was very organized, we (DH and I) got in very quickly; in minutes.  Had our temps taken outside.  Checked in at desk where clerk was behind plastic barrier on all three sides and masked and a bit distanced; needed to show our ID, have appointment verified and got our cards with date for appt. for second injection;  all done in about five or so minutes.

Then time for injections. there were multiple well separated stations each with an RN who had computers and set ups for said injections.  I was asked questions re my allergies/sensitivities; data was entered into the computer into my record, for the second time we were informed the vaccine was Moderna.

Then the big moment:  sleeve up, alcohol dab, and heeeeere comes the needle!   I mentally gulped and so hoped for no allergic reaction.   I did not even feel the needle and in just a second it was done.  Husband was next, just as organized and swift.

We were then taken off to a special observation waiting room - DH for 15 minutes, me for 30 minutes due to my history of allergies.  We stayed together.  I, being me, decided to wait for one hour.  Okay; laugh or groan, it made me feel a bit better to do so due to allergy history.  RNs were there along with their kits which included EpiPens that they could use instantly.  Only people in this room were my husband and myself along with three RNs. We were given a very good patient education re the vaccination and what to expect, etc., etc.  Very thorough.   Had some nice conversation with the RNs who were across the room wearing their masks and shields.  Entire site from parking lot and inside was faithfully distancing people every step of the way which was good.  Lots and lots of staff guiding everyone. 

Lorita:  Neither of us had any reaction whatsoever; neither of us with even a sore arm.  It is now the next day,about seventeen hours after the vaccination and I have not had a single side effect - my arm really is not even sore; not one bit.  I slept well; actually longer than usual.  Took Advil for knees this a.m.; boy did they need it.   RN who gave us COVID education also mentioned that both Pfizer and Moderna Trials did not restrict the subjects from taking either Tylenol, Ibuprofen or any other med and all subjects who took such or any meds still did as well with the vaccine as subjects who did not take anything during trial period.

Lorita, the clinic site was excellent.  From the time the car entered the parking area, there were many individuals guiding us along. We were handed paperwork into the car that had a few checklist questions on it to be answered before going into the center. Mostly about checking to see if we already had any vaccinations prior to this within a certain amount of time and if we had ever had an anaphylactic reaction to any vaccination, meds, etc.  Took three minutes max to fill out; then we entered the clinic.

Lots of helpful and cordial staff guiding and keeping people apart. There were no actual lines anywhere.  They had about five check-in "windows" where they had plastic dividers all around the workers who were masked and distanced. They checked our ID, our appts., and filled out our vaccination cards which was done in minutes.  We were then guided to the area with RN staffed immunization stations which were far apart.  No waiting lines anywhere - it was so very well orchestrated and managed. Lots of thought and work had gone into it.

After injection, we were even escorted by a different RN to the observation area down a hallway. They had several rooms dedicated to this with only eight separated chairs in each room.   Our room had three RNs in it along with their kits with EpiPens and other medical items. Talk about staffing!   A physician was actually on site but according to the RNs had never had to be used.  This clinic setting had been operating for weeks and not a single problem issue with a negative reaction for any of the huge number of people who had been vaccinated.  (They had done all  vaccinations for all Kaiser Permanente staff from the local large Kaiser hospital and Kaiser clinic/med office sites.)

I tell you this in detail, Lorita, as I know you as well as others are really very concerned about all of this and that is very understandable.  For me, if one looks at "risks versus benefits,"  Lorita; if any of us ahem, "mature" adults get this, we are quite at risk to be toast or at least dreadfully ill with extended hospitalization and even need for ventilators with long recovery period and post-disease medical issues.  I would rather have faced the vaccination knowing if I had a reaction, there was medical help immediately (they do this at ALL sites giving the vaccine), and that IF I do contract the virus, the probabilty is that it would not be a dreadful, horror show as if I had not had the vaccine.  Protect myself, protect others and also being part of the solution to this dread disease and not part of the problem.

So; that is it. Lorita, I sure do hope you speak to your physician about this.  You still have a degree of exposure possibility even though you live in a very rural area on your ranch.  Still people you come in contact with in town and on the ranch, some not masked as you have described; you did mention that in your tiny town of 159, there have been 100 cases of COVID.  Those probably were the ones who were symptomatic - remember, there are many asymptomatic carriers out there and also lesser for spreading the diease are contact surfaces which you do get a lot of delivery and at cattle feed place.

Anyway; it is up to each individual and how they feel.  Now all I have to do is get the second vaccination and of course I will worry about allergies then too, but will do it all the same.

Just gave the detail so those who are sitting on the fence with concern will see how the process goes; it is in all probability pretty much similar everywhere with exception of car vaccination at big stadiums, but they too have organized protocol.

Best and warmest of wishes to everyone,

J.

Jo C.

Marta, it is always a delight to see you here. I so enjoy reading your Posts.  I often wonder how you are doing and what you are currently doing, good to catch up.

Wow!  What a big job coordinating a vaccine site; that is no small thing.  Kudos to everyone involved in that endeavor which will save lives and more.  The setting we were at fascinated me by the excellence of  the way they were organized and set up.  Talk about efficiency and user friendly; they were awesome.  Amazing amount of planning and work went into putting that together; I can only imagine.

Sounds as though you are minimized in exposure; that is a good thing.  Imagine life without computers!  Well; I am old enough to remember.  I typed my way through university on an IBM Selectric typewriter.  Big difference. When changing paragraphs around, no choice but to re-type everything. 

Wonder if M1 is in clinical setting part or full time; have not heard as yet. 

Take good care Marta, you are so good at what you do; a blessing indeed.

J.

Ed1937

Jo, I'm glad everything went well for you. My wife and I had very minor soreness at the site of vaccination, but it only lasted for one day. I already feel much better about going out now, even though it takes two to three weeks for full protection. It's been five days so far.

M1

Glad it went well jo. My only clinical exposure is voluntary, I’m in the state medical reserve corps and am helping with vaccination and testing sites as needed. My work for Medicaid is all administrative.

Iris L.

Jo, I'm glad your vaccination experience went so smoothly and you and your DH have not had any untoward reaction.  

I got an email to make at appointment at Memorial Medical Center, but after I answered all the online questions, there are "no appointments available."  At the same time today, I hear on the radio that there are 7,000 available vaccine doses at Dodger Stadium that will be discardrd if they can't find some latecomers to vaccinate.  This whole process is disturbing.  Back to waiting.  Sigh.

Iris