From the Guidelines
You can generally exercise after receiving the flu shot and Prevnar 20 shot, but it's best to wait until symptoms and signs of a reaction have been absent for at least 2 days before resuming vigorous activity. According to the American Heart Association guidelines 1, it is recommended to exercise only when feeling physically well and to wait until symptoms and signs of a reaction have been absent for 2 days before resuming activity. Some key considerations for exercising after vaccination include:
- Listening to your body and resting as needed if you experience side effects like arm soreness, fatigue, or mild fever
- Staying hydrated and getting adequate rest in the days following vaccination to support your immune system's response
- Starting with gentler activities and gradually increasing intensity as you feel able
- Avoiding vigorous exercise soon after eating and waiting at least 2 hours after a meal before engaging in physical activity 1
- Adjusting exercise to environmental conditions, such as heat and humidity, to avoid heat-related illnesses 1 It's essential to prioritize your body's immune response and allow it to recover from the vaccination before engaging in strenuous physical activity. By waiting at least 2 days and taking a cautious approach to exercise, you can minimize potential discomfort and ensure optimal vaccine effectiveness.
From the Research
Exercise after Receiving the Influenza Vaccine and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV20, Prevnar 20)
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies that specifically addresses exercising after receiving the influenza vaccine and Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV20, Prevnar 20) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, studies suggest that exercise after vaccination is generally safe as long as the vaccinated individual feels well enough 2.
- Moderate-intensity resistance exercise directly before getting the influenza vaccine may decrease vaccine responses in older adults, but exercise after a shot is not reported to have a negative impact on the protection afforded by the vaccine 2.
- One episode of light-to-moderate-intensifying exercise after vaccination may improve the antibody reactions to influenza or other vaccines 2, 3.
- Regular exercise is known to improve the immune response, which could be beneficial against virus infections, including influenza and pneumonia 3, 5.
- It is recommended that individuals avoid exercise during or shortly after acute or febrile illness, and start exercise with sufficient warm-up, especially in cold weather 4.
- Prolonged moderate aerobic exercise may help reduce the risk of influenza-related infection and improve immune responses to influenza or pneumonia vaccination in older adults 5.