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

DETROIT – A lot of people have questions about it the COVID-19 vaccine like it is rolled out to more people in Michigan this week.

READ: Answer questions about the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine

No. There are no dietary restrictions – including alcohol – that residents must be aware of regarding the vaccine. Excessive drinking before or after the vaccine is likely to make any possible side effects – such as headaches or body aches – unpleasant.

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The vaccine ingredient focused on as the most likely culprit behind allergic reactions is polyethylene glycol. The chemical is needed to preserve the outer layer of the MRNA so it can get into the cells and produce spike protein.

PEG is common in medicines, cosmetics and even laxatives. Because of the concern, any known allergy to PEG, or cross-reacting chemical polysorbate, is a reason not to get the MNRA COVID vaccines.

We don’t have that information yet and unfortunately we can only find out by continuing to study it over time.

If it seems random, that’s because it is. The age difference is simply related to how the original study data – submitted to the FDA for emergency authorization – was collected. There was significant debate before the Pfizer vaccine minimum age turned 16 instead of 18.

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

Questions about coronavirus? Ask Dr. McGeorge