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The head of Russia's consumer safety watchdog, Anna Popova, warned that drinking alcohol would reduce the body's ability to build up immunity against the virus. /Reuters
A health official haswarned that anyone getting Russia'sSputnik V COVID-19 vaccine should give upalcohol for almost two months, causing outrage across the country.
Anna Popova, the head of Russia'sconsumer safety watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, has said that people should refrain from drinking alcohol at least two weeksbefore getting the first of two inoculations – and then for a further 42 days after.
Popova warned that drinking alcohol would reduce the body's ability to build up immunityagainst the virus.
"It's a strain on the body. If we want to be healthy and have a strong immune response, don't drink alcohol," she added.
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The guidance hascaused uproar in large parts of Russia, with some saying the risks of giving up alcohol outweigh the risks of drinking during the vaccine process.
"This really bothers me. I'm unlikely to not be able to drink [for almost two months] and I reckon the stress on the body of giving up alcohol, especially during what is a festive period, would be worse than the [side effects of the] vaccine and its alleged benefits,"Moscow residentElena Krivensaid.
Russians are among the heaviest drinkers in the world, though consumption has decreased sharply since 2003.
However, Sputnik published acontradictingmessage inresponse toPopova's advise.
It posted a picture ofHollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio raising a glass of champagneon its Twitter channel witha quote from thevaccine's developerAlexander Gintsburg that said: "One glass of champagne won't hurt anyone, not even your immune system."
Gintsburgdid, however, urge Russians to reduce their alcohol consumptionwhile the body built up immunity,but said there was no reason to give upcompletely.
People should refrain from drinking alcohol three days before and three days after both jabs, Gintsburg said, adding that the advice was the same for getting vaccinated around the world and not specific to Russia or Sputnik.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Pfizer– the vaccine produced by which was rolled out inthe UK earlier this week – said regulators had not mentioned any warnings aboutalcoholconsumption relating to the jab.
Source(s): Reuters
