Russian experts have warned that patients being vaccinated for covid must avoid alcohol consumption for 2 months after vaccination to avoid complications. As per Russian officials, patients will have to refrain from alcohol after the vaccination for at least 42 days as the vaccine takes that much time to become effective.

However, Indian experts said on Thursday that the warning is merely a preventive measure. As stated by the experts, warning against alcohol consumption that has been issued is a general immune-boosting measure rather than as a specific contraindication or interaction with the vaccine.

In the words of Director and Head of Neurology, Fortis, Gurugram, Dr. Praveen Gupta, “Russian officials have strangely advised few preventive measures for patients taking the vaccine which are likely to prevent them from contracting Covid-19 infection for two months. Either they believe that vaccine will start working after two months or there is no rational reasoning why people should take prolonged precautions despite being vaccinated.”

The experts emphasised that suggesting this measure in a country where people frequently consume alcohol can have both social and economic impacts. It may also make people vary of the vaccine.

As per reports, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Golikova told a news agency that Russians will have to refrain from drinking alcohol apart from following other mandates in the pandemic. According to a Senior Consultant of Microbiology in New Delhi, the suggestion has been made with a view to mount a strong immune response in the body after vaccination. She also said that the side effects of Sputnik vaccine are not yet known, yet the Russians claim that it is 90 percent effective. Dr. Gup,too, added that the interaction of vaccination with alcohol must be evaluated before any conclusion as the vaccine may be used around the world for covid patients.

As per a relevant source in India-Western experts have expressed scepticism at the speed at which the purported vaccine was developed and Russia hasn't provided any data to back up its claims for the shot.

The Russian officials have also claimed that people should stop consuming alcohol 2 weeks prior to the 1st of the 2 shots. There is a gap of 21 days between 2 shots.

(with inputs from various sites)