Getting the new booster shot? Here are products to help ease discomfort
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Reformulated COVID-19 booster shots have been recently approved for public use to target the BA.4 and BA.5 variants of omicrom, as well as the original virus. The new booster shot will bolster protection against the virus’ worst symptoms, potentially prevent new infections and reduce the number of deaths across the country. What’s more, the booster reduces the risk of “long covid” symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue that can last for several months. The booster is authorized for use two months after a previous dose. The Pfizer-BioNTech booster is approved for anyone age 12 and older, while Moderna’s booster is approved for adult use only.
►More: Has the COVID vaccine finally reached annual flu shot status? Health officials are hopeful.
Either booster may be chosen regardless of which shots you have received previously. No matter which booster you choose, you’ll likely have to deal with side effects as the CDC expects symptoms to be similar to that of previous boosters including headache, fatigue, nausea, chills, fever or soreness at the spot of the injection.
Don’t let the fear of side effects keep you from protecting yourself and others with the booster shot. There are many remedies to help alleviate any discomfort you might feel. However, if side effects are worrisome or don’t go away within a few days, it is recommended to contact a healthcare provider.
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1. A reusable ice pack
Icing the vaccination spot may provide immediate relief to any aches you're experiencing. This one from Amazon has over 24,000 rave reviews from people who like that the flexible design allows you to wrap and bend it to fit snugly against any body part (like your upper arm, in this case). They also say it stays ice cold for hours.
2. A washcloth for your arm and head
If you notice any discomfort on your arm where you were vaccinated, the CDC recommends laying a clean, cool washcloth on the area. With several glowing reviews, these Amazon Basics washcloths are praised for being very soft and absorbent and surprisingly high quality for the price.
Placing a cool, damp washcloth on your forehead or the back of your neck can also relieve fever-like symptoms.
3. Epsom salts for soaking
Epsom salt baths have long been a solution to muscle aches and soreness. So if you feel tender post-vaccine, you might benefit from a soak. These Epsom salts have over 24,000 reviews on Amazon with people saying they provide quick and effective relief and are more affordable than other brands.
4. A water bottle to stay hydrated
One of the CDC's top tips for anyone getting vaccinated is to drink plenty of fluids. An easy way to make sure you're getting enough H2O? A reusable water bottle. Of all the ones we've tested at Reviewed, we found the Brita Stainless Steel Filtering Water Bottle to be the best. It keeps your water refreshingly cold and filters out any odors while you sip.
5. An ice roller to cool your skin
You can use this ice roller the same way you would an ice pack (i.e., over the sore spot on your arm or on your forehead if you feel a headache coming on). Thousands of reviewers love that it's easy to use—simply chill it and then roll—and that it feels so soothing against your skin.
6. An eye mask for peaceful shuteye
A gel eye mask like this one provides two things that are known to help with headaches: coolness and darkness. The gel can be iced down to mitigate pain or tension and the solid design will block out any irritating light. Reviewers like that it maintains its cold temperature well and that it fits comfortably and snugly over your eyes. If a gel eye mask isn’t your thing, our favorite sleep mask, the Mzoo Sleep Mask, should do the trick for some restful shuteye.
7. A resistance band to stretch your arm
When your arm is sore, the last thing you may feel like doing is using it. But that's exactly what the CDC recommends, saying that exercising your arm and getting it moving can help relieve some of that pain. With these highly-rated resistance bands—which have over 82,000 reviews—you can do some light stretching and mobility to prevent your arm from getting stiff.
8. A thermometer to monitor your symptoms
The CDC notes that running a slight fever after receiving the vaccine is totally normal (although if it persists for a few days, reach out to your healthcare provider). To monitor your temperature, use a digital thermometer like the one offered by Femometer. It’s speedy, accurate and its results are color coded for convenience.
9. Hand sanitizer to take with you
To prevent COVID-19 and other illnesses, you should make sure to always have a supply of hand sanitizer at the ready. Hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol can help keep you and those around you safe by killing harmful germs. These travel-sized Purell are easy to toss in your bag or pocket on your way out the door.
10. A face mask to keep you—and your loved ones—safe
While most mask mandates have been relaxed, a mask might just be the ticket if you’re looking for peace of mind, particularly if you’re in an area of high-transmission or are at higher risk for health issues. An N95 or a KN95 mask are the gold standards when it comes to protection, filtering out much more particles than a cloth mask.
11. A quality pillow to sleep off the discomfort
The best way to combat any post-shot fatigue is to give into it and get some sleep. The key is to have sleep that’s restful, meaning you’ll want to make sure your bedding is as comfortable as possible. While it’s a tall order to upgrade your bed on short notice, it’s much easier to upgrade your pillow which can still transform your sleep quality. We recommend the original Coop Home Goods pillow after testing several pillows. We love that it’s extremely comfortable and customizable. comfortable and customizable.
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
This article originally appeared on Reviewed: How to soothe Pfizer, Moderna booster side effects
