Health officials advise against alcohol intake for COVID-19 vaccination

The Department of Health (DOH) has advised the public to avoid alcohol intake before and after receiving the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine as the recipient is advised to have a robust immune system.

According to Lei Alviz’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said avoiding alcohol is just a precautionary measure.

“We all know that when you drink alcohol, especially when you drink it too much, bumababa po ‘yong immunity natin. And when you receive a vaccine, para mag-work maigi sa inyo ang bakuna, kailangan robust ang system mo. ‘Yong immune system mo ay maayos para nakakapag-develop ng maayos na antibodies ang inyong katawan,” Vergeire said.

“I think people should heed this call para lang magkaroon ng mas magandang epekto ng ating bakuna, iwasan muna natin 'yung nakakasama sa ating katawan,” she added.

Aside from avoiding alcohol, Vergeire said the public should also still follow minimum health standards amid the health crisis.

“So wala pa ho tayong bakuna ngayon dito sa atin na ginagamit na nakaka-reach tayo ng 100% protection talaga. Hindi niya talaga ipe-prevent na hindi siya magkaroon ng sakit na ‘yon, pero nape-prevent niya ‘yong further complications of the disease,” she said.

“Ibig sabihin kung tumama man sa kaniya 'yong sakit pa rin, hindi na po siya ganoon kalala,” she added.

Earlier, health officials from Russia warned those who receive Sputnik V to stop drinking alcohol for two months as this might compromise its effect.

The health officials said alcohol could reduce the body’s ability to boost immunity against the virus.

Last week, Moscow began distributing Sputnik V, marking Russia’s first mass vaccination against the disease.

The Sputnik V vaccine is administered in two injections, with the second dose expected to be given 21 days after the first dose. -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News