Many parents give their children Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen) before getting their vaccinations. These drugs can reduce pain and fever. However, a new study conducted in the Czech Republic suggests that pre-medicating children with acetaminophen can actually reduce the effectiveness of the vaccine. The study included 450 children who were divided into equal groups. One group received acetaminophen with their vaccination while the other group did not. The study showed that the group who received acetaminophen produced a lower number of antibodies (ie. decreased immunity) in response to the vaccine than the group who did not receive acetaminophen.
Professionals have been quoted as saying that the study makes a compelling case against routinely dosing your child with Tylenol or Motrin before their vaccinations. It does not mean that these drugs should not be given if your child produces a high fever in response to their vaccinations. More studies will be needed before any concrete guidelines on using these medications in conjunction with vaccinations.
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