Can I drink alcohol before being vaccinated? How long does the vaccine work?

DETROIT – Many people have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine as it is rolled out to more people in Michigan this week.

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No. There are no dietary restrictions – including alcohol – that residents should consider regarding the vaccine. Excessive drinking before or after vaccination is likely to make possible side effects, such as headaches or body aches, more unpleasant.

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The vaccine ingredient that is focused on as the most likely culprit behind allergic reactions is polyethylene glycol. The chemical is needed to maintain the outer layer of the MRNA so that it can end up in cells and produce peak proteins.

PEG is very common in medicines, cosmetics and even laxatives. Because of concern, any allergy to PEG, or cross-reactive chemical polysorbate, is the reason for not taking the MNRA COVID vaccines.

We do not yet have the information and unfortunately it is the only way to find out to study it over time.

If it seems arbitrary, it’s because it’s so. The age difference is simply related to the way the original study data – submitted to the FDA for emergency clearance – was collected. There was a major debate before the minimum age of the Pfizer vaccine was 16 rather than 18.

The side effects are the same for both doses, but they occur significantly more after the second dose, because the immune system is activated by the first dose. In addition, side effects are more common in people under 55 years of age.

Questions about coronavirus? Ask dr. Mcgeorge