Anyone who survives the corona vaccination without symptoms likes to toast to celebrate the day with a glass of sparkling wine, wine or beer. But is it allowed to drink alcohol before or after the (booster) vaccination or is it dangerous? We’ll tell you.
The vaccination campaign is in full swing and fortunately more and more people can get their vaccine to protect themselves from infection with SARS-CoV-2 and the disease Covid-19. But very few people know how best to behave on the days before and after the vaccination. Therefore, we will tell you if and when alcohol consumption is allowed around the vaccination date.
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Corona vaccination and alcohol: Can you drink before or after the vaccination?
Is alcohol a good idea before or after a corona vaccination? There is still no scientific data on the exact effects of different amounts of alcohol around the period of the corona vaccination. However, there are extensive studies on the effects of alcohol on the immune system. In women, for example, exceeding 10 grams of alcohol (0.1 l sparkling wine / 0.125 l wine / 0.3 l beer) triggers a reaction in the immune system. For men, this applies to twice the amount.
Regarding the corona vaccination, initial data suggest that alcohol consumption can aggravate the vaccination reactions or side effects of the vaccination. In addition, alcohol – especially in large quantities – can have a negative effect on the immune system and its ability to build up immunity against the coronavirus. It is therefore best to avoid any alcohol in order not to provoke excessive vaccination reactions or side effects.
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Does alcohol affect the effectiveness of the corona vaccination?
According to current data , small amounts of alcohol (0.1 l sparkling wine / 0.125 l wine / 0.3 l beer) in the evening after a vaccination appear to be harmless. In 2012, a Swedish study examined how the consumption of alcohol or tobacco influenced the protection provided by a pneumococcal vaccination. In the alcohol group, the immune reaction was slightly reduced. However , this did not compromise the effectiveness of the vaccine . However, in the tobacco group, smoking cigarettes resulted in a poorer immune response to the vaccine .
Of course, the results cannot be directly transferred to the corona vaccination . Nevertheless , experts advise against consuming alcoholic beverages before and after the corona vaccination in order to protect the immune system and to guarantee complete vaccination protection. As a cell toxin that has to be broken down, alcohol is a burden for the entire body. A corona vaccination can cause severe side effects within the first few days, even in young and fit people. In order to protect your body, you should avoid alcohol, cigarettes and other stimulants as much as possible – especially if you are already experiencing mild symptoms after the corona vaccination.
Booster vaccination and alcohol
Since the protection against the corona virus slowly decreases in the months after the complete vaccination, the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) has been advising all adults since November 18, 2021 to be vaccinated again: “The booster vaccinations should usually be given at intervals of 6 Months to the last vaccine dose of the primary immunization. Shortening the vaccination interval to 5 months can be considered in individual cases or if there is sufficient capacity”. The booster vaccinations should only be carried out with mRNA vaccines, i.e. those from Biontech/Pfizer and Moderna.
According to current data, vaccination reactions and side effects occur in a similar manner and frequency as with the first two doses of vaccine administered. You should therefore protect your immune system before and after the booster vaccination in the same way as after the first two vaccinations and refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages.
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dr Riedl clarifies: alcohol on the day of the corona vaccination
Nutrition doc @drmatthiasriedl was live on Instagram at @vital_magazin and answered the most burning questions about Corona and nutrition. From minute 21:31 he talks about how to behave properly when it comes to vaccination. From minute 22:14 he discusses the topic of alcohol and corona vaccination.
Vaccination with Sputnik V: Two months without alcohol?
While in Germany excessive alcohol consumption on the day of the vaccination or in the event of side effects is discouraged, in Russia there are much stricter recommendations for the administration of Sputnik V. Consumer protection Rospotrebnadzor advises a 42-day abstinence after the first vaccination and a two-week dry phase before. The 42 days is because the second dose should be administered 21 days after the first and then “immunity builds up and you should be careful,” said the head of Rospotrebnadzor, Anna Popova, in an interview with the Moscow Times. “If we want to stay healthy and have a strong immune response, we shouldn’t drink alcohol,” Popova said.
She also advised against tobacco use , as the smoke could strain the lungs and impair the immune response as a result of the vaccination.
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Conclusion: Better no alcohol around the vaccination
Since the corona vaccination – like most vaccinations – is no small thing, but demands a lot of work from your body and above all your immune system, you should ideally avoid alcohol on the day of the vaccination as well as on the days before and especially after it . Alcohol puts an additional strain on your body and makes your immune system more susceptible to infections and strong vaccination reactions , especially when you already feel physically weak and exhausted .
Tip: In general, you should never drink alcohol in situations where your immune system is weak. This applies to colds and other infections, but also to vaccinations or intensive sports units. You can find out how harmful alcohol is after exercise here >>
The best non-alcoholic drinks to toast
If you feel like celebrating after your corona vaccination, there are also non- alcoholic alternatives with which you can toast the vaccine you have received, e.g. non-alcoholic sparkling wine from Mumm or Söhnlein , or the following popular wines.
