This week, it was announced that over 27million people had been given the Covid-19 vaccine since it’s roll-out on the 8th of December. With so many now receiving the vaccine, from staff in health and care professions to the elderly and vulnerable, Google has been awash with questions. The most British one ever being ‘can you drink alcohol after covid vaccination’.
That’s right, search for ‘vaccine’ on Google Trends – which tells you what everyone in the UK is Googling – and ‘alcohol and covid vaccine’ is among the top searches. It’s understandable really, the first thing we’ll be wanting to do when we eventually receive it is sink a big fat drink too. After all, it seems to signal freedom at last. But since so many are wondering whether you can drink alcohol after getting the covid vaccine, we sought to answer that question for you.
Can you drink alcohol after covid vaccination?
While the government hasn’t issued any particular advice around drinking alcohol after the coronavirus vaccine, scientists across the board are advising against drinking alcohol both before and after receiving it.
The UK’s independent medical advisory panel on alcohol, at charity Drinkaware, issued a warning this week noting that keeping your immune system at its best is high priority before and after Covid vaccination.
‘We advise that you don't drink any alcohol for at least two days before, and at least two weeks after, you've been vaccinated, to try to ensure your immune system is at its best to respond to the vaccine and protect you,’ says the panel’s chair, Dr Fiona Sim says. ‘If you are a regular heavy drinker, the risks to you of becoming seriously ill if you do contract Covid-19 are particularly high, so please do keep your appointment for vaccination if you are offered one.’
For greatest benefit from the vaccine, do not to drink any alcohol for a few days before, and for at least two weeks after.
‘Chronic heavy drinking reduces immune protection, and specifically for respiratory infections, which includes Covid-19,’ Dr Sim continued. ‘For greatest benefit from the vaccine, it is prudent for you not to drink any alcohol for a few days before, and for at least two weeks after, you've been vaccinated.
‘And if you do contract Covid-19, please do not drink any alcohol until you have recovered fully, to protect your immune system to allow it to fight the virus, as well as minimising the risk of serious liver disease in the longer term,’ she concluded.
The panel acknowledged that there is little data about the specific effect of alcohol on the human body’s response to the Covid vaccine but there is evidence that drinking alcohol – especially regular heavy drinking – can reduce your body’s ability to build immunity in response.
So, heavy drinker or not, it’s better to be safe than sorry. After 10 months of on and off lockdown, 17 days of no alcohol will be a walk in the park… right?
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