Vaccine And Beer: What's Safe To Drink?

There is no official guidance on drinking alcohol after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot. However, some experts advise against drinking alcohol, especially heavy drinking, immediately post-vaccination. While moderate drinking is unlikely to impair the immune response to the vaccine, heavy drinking might. Research has shown that chronic, heavy alcohol use can impact the immune system and lower immunity. It can also increase the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome and pneumonia, which are associated with COVID-19. Therefore, it is generally recommended to give your body time to recover after vaccination and avoid drinking excessively.

Heavy drinking may impair the immune response to the Covid vaccine

While moderate drinking is unlikely to impair the immune response to the Covid-19 vaccine, heavy drinking may. The short answer is that it depends on how much you drink. There is no evidence that having a drink or two can render any of the current Covid-19 vaccines less effective. Some studies have even found that, over the longer term, small or moderate amounts of alcohol might actually benefit the immune system by reducing inflammation.

However, heavy alcohol consumption, particularly over the long term, can suppress the immune system and potentially interfere with your vaccine response. Since it can take weeks after a Covid-19 shot for the body to generate protective levels of antibodies against the virus, anything that interferes with the immune response would be a cause for concern.

Heavy drinking is defined as four or more drinks on any day for men and three or more drinks for women. One "standard" drink is considered 5 ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, or 12 ounces of beer.

It is worth noting that the clinical trials of the Covid-19 vaccines that are currently approved for use did not specifically look at whether alcohol had any impact on the effectiveness of the vaccines. Most of what is known comes from previous research, including studies that examined how alcohol affects the immune system in humans and whether it hinders the immune response in animals that received other vaccines.

One thing that is clear from studies is that heavy alcohol consumption impairs the immune response and increases susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections. It prevents immune cells from traveling to sites of infection and carrying out their duties, like destroying viruses, bacteria, and infected cells. It also makes it easier for pathogens to invade your cells and causes a host of other problems.

There is no evidence that a drink or two can render Covid vaccines less effective

There is no evidence that a drink or two can render COVID-19 vaccines less effective

It is understandable that people who are receiving the COVID-19 vaccines want to make sure they are doing all the right things to maximise their immune response. However, there is no evidence that having a drink or two can render any of the current COVID-19 vaccines less effective.

According to Ilhem Messaoudi, director of the Center for Virus Research at the University of California, Irvine, who has conducted research on the effects of alcohol on the immune response:

> If you are truly a moderate drinker, then there’s no risk of having a drink around the time of your vaccine. But be very cognizant of what moderate drinking really means. It’s dangerous to drink large amounts of alcohol because the effects on all biological systems, including the immune system, are pretty severe and they occur pretty quickly after you get out of that moderate zone.

Moderate drinking is generally defined as no more than two drinks a day for men and a maximum of one drink a day for women, whereas heavy drinking is defined as four or more drinks on any day for men and three or more drinks for women. One "standard" drink is considered five ounces of wine, 1.5 ounces of distilled spirits, or 12 ounces of beer.

Some studies have even found that, over the longer term, small or moderate amounts of alcohol might actually benefit the immune system by reducing inflammation.

However, heavy alcohol consumption, particularly over the long term, can suppress the immune system and potentially interfere with your vaccine response. Since it can take weeks after a COVID-19 shot for the body to generate protective levels of antibodies against the virus, anything that interferes with the immune response would be a cause for concern.

Other considerations

Although there is no evidence that a drink or two can render COVID-19 vaccines less effective, there are still some considerations to keep in mind.

Firstly, alcohol can affect the immune system, and some research suggests that people who drink excessive amounts or are immunocompromised may experience adverse effects if they drink alcohol when taking the vaccine. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of your alcohol consumption and to contact a healthcare professional if you have any concerns or experience any side effects after receiving the vaccine.

Secondly, while there is no official advice to avoid drinking alcohol after the COVID-19 vaccine, some organisations do advise people to avoid alcohol for at least two days before and at least two weeks after the vaccine. This is because alcohol can affect your judgment and decision-making, making it harder to adhere to safer gathering practices like wearing a mask and social distancing.

Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome and pneumonia, which are sometimes associated with Covid-19

Alcohol use can have detrimental effects on lung health and immunity. Chronic alcohol use and heavy drinking can increase the risk of several pulmonary conditions, including lung disease, alcoholic pneumonia, acute lung injury, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Alcohol abuse can cause inflammation and harm cells in the upper and lower parts of the airway. As an irritating chemical, alcohol vapour can cause damage to the nasal passages and sinuses, making it harder for the body to fight off infection.

Alcohol also impairs the body's reflexes, such as the gag reflex, which can lead to aspiration and cause lung damage and infection. In addition, alcohol increases the risk of bacterial infections by killing off good bacteria in the mouth and throat, allowing more harmful bacteria to grow.

Drinking alcohol can also increase the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome and pneumonia, which are sometimes associated with Covid-19. Alcohol abuse is a known risk factor for pneumonia, and research shows that pneumonia is more likely to be severe and even fatal in people who consume alcohol. This is true even when compared to non-drinkers who are hospitalised for pneumonia.

Chronic alcohol use can deplete glutathione, an antioxidant that helps process toxins and inflammation. Lower levels of glutathione make the lungs more susceptible to injury and can also affect liver function. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe and often deadly form of lung injury that can be caused by fluid build-up in the lungs, severe pneumonia, or other major injuries. According to research, people who consume alcohol are three to four times more likely to develop ARDS than those who do not.

Therefore, it is important to consider the potential risks associated with alcohol consumption, especially when it comes to lung health and the increased vulnerability to certain respiratory conditions.

Alcohol does not protect against Covid-19

Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that is associated with mental health disorders. People at risk or who have an alcohol use disorder are particularly vulnerable, especially when in self-isolation. Alcohol consumption can also exacerbate health vulnerability, risk-taking behaviours, mental health issues, and violence.

Drinking alcohol can alter your thoughts, judgement, and decision-making behaviour. This can make it harder to adhere to safer gathering practices like wearing a mask and social distancing. It is important to never share a drink with another person as this exposes you to their germs through residual saliva.

While there is no conclusive evidence of an interaction between alcohol and the Covid-19 vaccine, some studies suggest that alcohol may activate ACE2 receptors, which act as the receptor for the Covid-19 virus, and enhance the harmful effects of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Other studies suggest that moderate alcohol consumption may enhance the response to classical vaccines, but these studies have been conducted on animals and do not necessarily predict human responses.

Experts advise against drinking alcohol right after getting vaccinated

While there is no official guideline on drinking alcohol after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, some experts advise against drinking right after getting the jab. According to Dr Jeffrey Elder, a drink or two occasionally is unlikely to cause any problems with the COVID-19 vaccine. However, he recommends avoiding alcohol around the time of vaccination to keep your body as healthy as possible as the vaccine triggers an immune response.

Alcohol and the immune system

It is well-accepted that alcohol consumption affects the immune response. Studies show that alcohol disrupts immune pathways and can impair the body's ability to defend itself against infection. Excessive alcohol consumption increases susceptibility to immune-related conditions such as acute respiratory stress syndrome (wet lung).

Alcohol and the COVID-19 vaccine

A 2023 review found that alcohol may activate ACE2 receptors, which act as the receptor for the COVID-19 virus, and enhance the harmful effects of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The spike protein is the main target of antibodies trying to neutralise the virus. The review also suggests that young people who drink alcohol, as well as those who chronically drink alcohol, have an increased risk of complications after immunisation with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.

Expert recommendations

Health experts in the UK and Russia recommend abstaining from drinking alcohol before and after getting the COVID-19 vaccine. Russian health official Anna Popova advised staying away from alcohol for at least two weeks before the first of two injections of the Sputnik V vaccine and for a further 42 days. Alexander Gintsburg, head of the Gamaleya National Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology in Moscow, which developed the Sputnik V vaccine, recommended refraining from alcohol for three days after each injection. Sheena Cruickshank, a professor at the University of Manchester, recommended avoiding drinking only the day before and after getting vaccinated to "have your immune system working tip-top."

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