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

DETROIT – A lot of people have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine as it is being released to more people in Michigan this week.

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No. There are no dietary restrictions, including alcohol, that residents should consider in relation to the vaccine. However, excessive consumption before or after the vaccine is likely to make potential side effects (such as a headache or body aches) more unpleasant.

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The ingredient in the vaccine that is being concentrated as the most likely culprit for allergic reactions is polyethylene glycol. The chemical is needed to maintain the outer coating of the MRNA, allowing it to enter cells and produce spike protein.

PEG is very common in medications, cosmetics and even laxatives. Due to concern, any known allergy to PEG or cross-reactive chemical polysorbate is a reason for not receiving COVID MNRA vaccines.

We do not yet have this information and, unfortunately, the only way to find out is to continue studying it over time.

If it seems arbitrary, it’s because it is. The age difference is simply related to how the original study data (which was sent to the FDA for emergency authorization) was collected. There was significant debate before the minimum age of the Pfizer vaccine was 16 and not 18.

Side effects are the same for both doses, but are significantly more common after the second dose, as the immune system has been activated with the first dose. In addition, side effects are more common in people under 55 years of age.

Do you have questions about the coronavirus? Ask Dr. McGeorge