Q: Is it safe to drink wine after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine?—Francesca, Naples, Fla.
A: Distribution and administration of the COVID-19 vaccine have begun. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), healthcare personnel and nursing home residents will be among the first groups to receive the doses, followed by others in high-risk categories. Although there may be mild side effects such as nausea and muscle pain, wine lovers who receive the vaccine should be able to celebrate with a glass of wine.
According to Dr. Anuj Mehta, a pulmonologist at National Jewish Health and chair of Colorado's task force for the vaccine, it is most likely safe to consume wine after the dose. "I don’t think there should be an issue," Dr. Mehta told Wine Spectator via email. "I plan to have a glass of wine after my dose."
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was the first to gain authorization for U.S. distribution, and Pfizer director of global media relations Jerica Pitts says that there is nothing in the vaccine label that advises against moderate alcohol consumption following the dose, but there is evidence that excessive alcohol consumption may suppress your immune system's response to any vaccination.
For more information, visit the CDC's website and remember to consult your physician and/or healthcare provider for more details on moderate wine consumption and the COVID-19 vaccine.—Shawn Zylberberg
