Russians warned to avoid alcohol after receiving coronavirus vaccine

Health officials are warning anyone who receives Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to stop drinking alcohol for two months over fears it could compromise its effectiveness.

Head of Russia's consumer health watchdog, Anna Popova told the Komsomolskaya Pravda radio station that alcohol could reduce the body's ability to build up immunity to the coronavirus.

"It's a strain on the body. If we want to be healthy and have a strong immune response, don't drink alcohol," she said on Tuesday.

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Locals are calling the advice unreasonable and even the vaccine developer, Alexander Gintsburg, has said there is no need to completely abstain from alcohol.

"One glass of champagne won't hurt anyone, not even your immune system," Dr Gintsburg tweeted yesterday.

He agreed reducing your alcohol intake would help the body build a defence to the virus, but said that advice applies to any coronavirus vaccine, not just Russia's Sputnik V.

According to Ms Popova, those who receive the Sputnik V vaccine should completely avoid alcohol for two weeks before the first jab and 42 days after it had been given.

READ MORE: Russia says COVID-19 vaccine 92 per cent effective

According to local authorities, there is a 21-day gap between when the first and second injection is administered.

Sputnik V was the first vaccine to be publicly unveiled, but also the one we know least about.

Developed by Russia's Gamaleya Institute, the two-shot vaccine is still officially in the trial stage.

Despite this, the Kremlin gave Sputnik V regulatory approval in August, even though only a few dozen people had received it.

Now, more than 100,000 Russians have already been given Sputnik V.

READ MORE: Putin orders 'large-scale' COVID-19 vaccination in Russia

President Vladimir Putin announced a large-scale immunisation campaign to begin in the next few days, with doctors and teachers given priority.

Developers said Sputnik V has been shown to be 91.4 per cent effective.

Russia hopes a billion doses will be produced in 2021, though Russians will be prioritised.

Sputnik V can be kept at a regular fridge temperature and has an estimated cost of $13.50 a dose.

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