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Alcohol and the vaccination.

(65 Posts)
NanKate Thu 21-Jan-21 14:41:14

I have read it is sensible not to have alcohol 2 days before the jab and 2 days afterwards.

So no celebrating for DH on Saturday. ?☹️

MawBe Thu 21-Jan-21 14:44:34

Saw the thread title and thought “Yes please, in no particular order” grin

Grannybags Thu 21-Jan-21 14:46:36

Same here - I thought yes please that'll sort me!! grin

NanKate Thu 21-Jan-21 18:56:29

You little alkies ????

Urmstongran Thu 21-Jan-21 18:58:52

Same here! Especially since ‘dry January’ has turned into a damp one!
?

Lucca Thu 21-Jan-21 19:01:26

I Believe another poster said two weeks abstinence was essential .....along with having to be in peak physical condition! Counts me out !!
I’m enjoying my birthday bottle of Pouilly Fumé as we speak.

Fennel Thu 21-Jan-21 19:07:24

I asked the nurse when she vaccinated me and she said rubbish.
Anyway, the Oxford vacine contains alcohol (look on the leaflet).
This is what is putting off some people.

growstuff Thu 21-Jan-21 19:12:46

The advice I've seen is aimed at heavy drinkers for the simple reason that they will already have compromised immune systems. Abstaining or cutting down for a couple of days gives the vaccine a better chance of doing its stuff.

PS. I believe heavy drinking is defined as being over the recommendation of 14 units a week.

BlueSky Thu 21-Jan-21 19:13:48

Glad I became T total after my drinking was getting out of hand.

GagaJo Thu 21-Jan-21 19:20:44

Lucca

I Believe another poster said two weeks abstinence was essential .....along with having to be in peak physical condition! Counts me out !!
I’m enjoying my birthday bottle of Pouilly Fumé as we speak.

I thought the point of giving the vaccine to the extremely elderly and infirm first was BECAUSE they weren't in peak physical condition. Although, I might lay off the wine for a couple of weeks before my injection.

Jaxjacky Thu 21-Jan-21 19:31:30

Anyone got any evidence for this guidance? because the only place I can find any is from Russia aimes at the hefty vodka imbibers and that’s on their ‘news’.

growstuff Thu 21-Jan-21 19:37:19

Jaxjacky

Anyone got any evidence for this guidance? because the only place I can find any is from Russia aimes at the hefty vodka imbibers and that’s on their ‘news’.

No, I don't. As I wrote, the advice was aimed at heavy drinkers, who do have compromised immune systems. It wasn't intended for those who have an occasional drink.

EllanVannin Thu 21-Jan-21 19:41:26

Alcohol will reduce the response to the vaccine before as well as after. Which is why you can't have certain foods/ drinks with particular medications.

EllanVannin Thu 21-Jan-21 19:44:18

There's nothing to say that you can't--it's the chance you take.

Casdon Thu 21-Jan-21 19:55:55

Lots of similar articles online.
metro.co.uk/2021/01/21/can-you-drink-alcohol-after-getting-the-covid-vaccine-13942247/

Smileless2012 Thu 21-Jan-21 20:02:47

If you get a last minute offer of the vaccine and had enjoyed a drink the evening before, there's not much you can about it is there.

muse Thu 21-Jan-21 20:03:41

The alcohol education charity Drinkaware have reported this statement saying: "not to drink 2 days before and 2 weeks after to ensure your immune system is at its best to respond to the vaccine and protect you.

The report also said that "there is evidence to suggest that large quantities of alcohol can reduce the body’s ability to build immunity". This has to be aimed at the heavy drinkers.

Many people are saying the amount of time between notification and vaccination is very little. Some have had just a few days notice.

I'm going to take their advice.

Tangerine Thu 21-Jan-21 20:10:19

If this is so, why don't they tell you at the call centre? When I made a booking for an elderly relation via the phone system because the booking site was not working, no mention was made.

I made another booking for another elderly relation online and there was no mention of abstaining from drinking alcohol.

I daresay they wouldn't be very pleased if you turned up drunk!!

Greyduster Thu 21-Jan-21 20:10:44

I have just been through both the guidance leaflets (‘Reg 174 information for UK recipients’ and ‘A guide for older adults’) we were given this morning and nowhere does it mention consumption of alcohol either before or following the vaccination. If there was guidance about abstaining prior to being vaccinated, surely that would have been given beforehand too?

Blossoming Thu 21-Jan-21 20:19:56

MawBe

Saw the thread title and thought “Yes please, in no particular order” grin

Chin chin grin

wine

muse Thu 21-Jan-21 20:34:46

These reports are from an independent medical advisory panel. There seem to be a few of these mentioned over the last 12 months! This isn't information from the NHS.

The NHS site quote this: "Long-term alcohol misuse can weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to serious infections".

A huge amount of booze will therefore affect how effective the vaccination will be.

If your doctor knew you were an alcoholic, I'm sure they would have warned you before about your immune system.

Jaxjacky Thu 21-Jan-21 20:44:14

Casdon thank you for the article, also quotes MHRA as saying no known issues.

PamelaJ1 Thu 21-Jan-21 21:28:58

I’ll have both too?
I do think that Prof. Van Tam would have told us.

M0nica Thu 21-Jan-21 21:40:07

Try this for size. www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/health/can-drink-alcohol-after-covid-19661781

As fas as I know there is no need to avoid alcohol or be exceptionally fit, or even fit to benefit from it. Why else would they be vaccinating the old and frail and those with co-morbidities first?

As for alcohol. There is no ban of any kind, Heavy drinkers are advised to go on the wagon for 2 days before and afterwards, presumbably because they do not want the authorities do not want the process of vaccination slowed down by having drunks at the location, and two days after so they are not too drunk to recognise any after effects.

lemongrove Thu 21-Jan-21 21:43:51

PamelaJ1

I’ll have both too?
I do think that Prof. Van Tam would have told us.

Unless he was too drunk and forgot ?