Name: Can I drink alcohol after my COVID vaccine?
Creator: Dr Karen Martin
Published: 2023-02-24T11:46:18.426Z

But... everything in moderation, as they say. Drinking too much alcohol (more than 2 units of alcohol a day, where a unit is equal to half a pint of average strength beer or a single measure of typical spirits or  a 3 oz. glass of wine) can put pressure on your immune system and therefore reduce your body’s ability to mount an immune response. 

In addition, heavy drinking can also worsen vaccine-related side effects. 

So, see how you feel, perhaps give up alcohol for a couple of days afterwards, and avoid binge drinking. This allows you to get the most out of the vaccine or booster. 

I feel a "but" coming up...

How will I feel after my COVID-19 vaccine?

There are various stories about what to expect after your COVID-19 vaccine. Millions have received it, and the vast majority have experienced only mild symptoms or none at all, with serious reactions very rare. Forewarned is forearmed, so let’s go through the most likely symptoms for the hours and days after your vaccine and what might help. 

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a condition which occurs as a consequence of women drinking alcohol during their pregnancy. It covers a wide range of symptoms and affects each baby differently. Examples include facial changes and learning disabilities, trouble with coordination or attention and hyperactivity. It can also affect the kidneys, bones, and the heart, and cause growth problems. 

The term fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is often used interchangeably, but more specifically describes certain collections of symptoms related to damage by alcohol during pregnancy, of which FAS is the most severe end of the spectrum. 

Symptoms may be subtle and there may be no physical signs, but it’s thought to be underdiagnosed, and numbers have risen in recent years along with alcohol abuse. 

COVID-19 vaccine – checklist before you get your jab

The vaccine slot’s booked, you’re all set to go, but first, just run through our checklist to make sure you’re in the best position healthwise to get your shot. 

I’ve had COVID, can I still get a vaccination?

Even if you’ve had COVID, it’s important to get a vaccination or booster. This is because that while your body gets some immunity from the infection itself, this protection is short-lived, perhaps only a few weeks. After that, you are vulnerable to catching COVID again, and may get symptoms or pass it on without knowing to those around you.  

Your turn has come, you’ve booked your slot, it might be at a center you don’t know, but you're feeling ready. Let’s walk you through what to expect once you’re there, and top tips so your vaccine appointment runs smoothly. 

A COVID-19 booster is an additional dose of [vaccine](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/treatment/vaccine!b10c44b0-3727-4f68-b36e-074edf7148ac) that is given some time after people have received their first two vaccinations. Scientists determine the best time to give it, calculated for when your level of protection starts to wane. It then provides your immunity with the boost it needs to keep you maximally protected.

While this deadly virus continues to disrupt the world, four vaccines have been approved in the US to combat it. But which is the safest and most protective; which is the best? Perhaps it’s best to debunk this from the start: there is no "best" vaccine. They’ve all been approved through a rigorous regulatory process after initial computer modeling, then laboratory tests and clinical trials, and now testing on millions in the real world. They have all performed to an exceptionally high standard.  

There are three vaccines frequently being administered: Novavax, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna – all require two doses for maximum immunity. The Janssen vaccine by Johnson & Johnson just requires one dose, but is only recommended in certain circumstances due to the higher risk of adverse reactions. The Janssen and Novavax vaccines contain pieces of real virus, while the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines use pieces of virus grown in a laboratory using mRNA technology.  

But it’s likely you have questions about each, and it can be hard to sift through all of the information coming at us. We'll help you make sense of what we know so far. 

A vaccine (also known as vaccination, immunization, or jab) is when your body is given a modified version of a virus or bacteria so that your immune system can develop immunity against it without getting the harmful illness associated with it. This is usually in the form of a small injection and is why it is also known as a "jab" and tends to be given into the muscle in your upper arm. 

Vaccines have been key in preventing serious and potentially fatal infectious diseases. There are also seasonal vaccines, such as the flu vaccine and travel vaccines, that you will only require if you are traveling to certain places abroad where some diseases are more prevalent than in the US. There are also specific vaccines, such as hepatitis, depending on your risks of exposure to blood-borne viruses. 

The bacteria or viruses are made safe for a vaccine by either weakening, changing, or killing them so that they cannot cause harm. If a vaccine uses a weakened version of the pathogen (virus or bacteria), then it should be considered whether it is safe to give to people with a lowered immune system. 

All approved and licensed vaccines have gone through clinical trials, meaning that they have been thoroughly tested and are safe for use. The side effects of vaccines are usually mild and short-lived; however, in a very small number of people, a severe allergic reaction can occur, known as anaphylaxis. It is not common, but it is life-threatening. It can develop quickly, causing the swelling of airways and difficulty breathing along with other symptoms such as feeling faint or dizzy, feeling sick, and collapsing. Any signs of anaphylaxis should be responded to by calling 911 immediately. 

Flu is the common name for illness caused by the influenza virus. It brings on [headache](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/symptom/headaches!c747a70a-f209-4f6f-bcfa-e1bfe0b15167), muscle aches, [sore throat](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/sore-throat-triggers-and-treatments-to-soothe-and-repair!e5706de6-0b8f-416f-9787-35c199eab172), runny nose, and [cough](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/treatment/coughs-how-to-soothe-symptoms-and-when-to-worry!1b2d2dee-8d3d-4a8c-acb5-6e317118315d). It's much worse than the [common cold](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/common-cold!baa7ed30-35f2-4834-b997-27b75326c67b), often requiring a few days in bed, struggling with fever, poor appetite, and feeling very tired and drained.

It usually comes in the winter, it's highly contagious, and most people have experienced it at one time or another. If you're healthy, you have a miserable 2 to 7 days, then get better and back to normal life. The risk comes to those who are elderly or have ongoing medical conditions. It can also hard-hit those with suppressed immune systems from conditions or medication. It causes inflammation in the lungs and airways, leading to breathing problems, [pneumonia](https://www.healthwords.ai/us/article/pneumonia:-causes-symptoms-treatment!97f6601b-6d98-4683-bad9-003869086469), and even death.

Antibiotics won't help as they don't work on viruses, only bacteria. Your immune system will fight it off, and you may need intravenous fluids and oxygen if you are admitted to the hospital.

COVID vaccine in children aged 6 months-17 years: your questions answered

The US COVID-19 vaccine program has been extended to include all children aged 6 months and over. This has been carefully debated and analyzed as to any potential risks and benefits, and how this affects both each individual child and the wider community. 

It remains up to parents to consent for any child (the definition of child varies by state), and they must weigh what’s best for their child. Whatever your final decision, let’s give you the facts as we understand them to help you on the way. 

The US has been later than some countries to offer this to children, which gives us the advantage of their experience, so we now have worldwide data from tens of millions of children, along with lab data and that from the millions of adults vaccinated. 

Dr Karen Martin

Pharmacist and Head of US Content

Can I drink alcohol after my COVID vaccine?

There is no clear evidence that having a glass or two of alcohol after your vaccine has a negative effect on how well your vaccine works, or makes you feel any worse. 

Can I drink alcohol after my COVID vaccine?

I feel a "but" coming up...

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How will I feel after my COVID-19 vaccine?

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I’ve had COVID, can I still get a vaccination?

COVID-19 vaccine – what to expect

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COVID vaccine in children aged 6 months-17 years: your questions answered