Drinking alcohol soon after receiving a Covid vaccine could stop it from working properly

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Drinking alcohol should be avoided for three days after getting the Covid vaccine, according to a Russian scientist.

It is thought that alcohol could hinder the body’s ability to respond to the jab, meaning it could affect its ability to fight back against Covid-19.

Not official advice in the UK

The advice against not drinking alcohol comes from a leading Russian scientist who was involved in the development of the Sputnik V vaccine.

Dr Alexander Gintsburg, head of the Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow, has warned that avoiding alcohol is “strongly” advised against after receiving any of the Covid-19 vaccines.

Officials in Russia have asked citizens not to drink alcohol if they want to receive an injection, with Dr Gintsburg telling New Scientist, “We strongly recommend refraining from alcohol for three days after each injection.”

However, health officials in the UK have not yet made any reference to keeping alcohol consumption to a minimum in order to receive the jab.