Russians administered with the Sputnik vaccine have been advised against drinking for 6 weeks.

The vaccine recipients are advised to avoid alcohol consumption for nearly 2 months before and after the immunization.

The vaccine recipients are advised to avoid alcohol consumption for nearly 2 months before and after the immunization.Russia is one of the worst affected countries by the COVID-19 pandemic. To combat the spread, a mass vaccination drive is carried out with the distribution of Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine shots in 70 clinics to the most exposed groups like health workers, educational institutions, and social helpers.

President Vladimir Putin has ordered a nationwide voluntary vaccination program as Russia would be producing 2 million vaccine doses within the next few days.

Sputnik is a two-shot vaccine administered with a 21-day gap between doses. Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova recommended that the recipients of the vaccine refrain from visiting crowded places, wear face masks, use sanitizers and abstain from alcohol consumption and other immunosuppressants within the first 42 days after the first shot was administered.

The head of Russia’s consumer safety watchdog Anna Popova followed up with instructions and urged the vaccine recipients to stop the intake of alcohol for 2 weeks before receiving the vaccine and 42 days after the first injection as it is necessary to have a strong immune response. She also advised against smoking as it may hamper the lung capacity, thus skewing the immune responses.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.