What to Eat and Drink Before Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine

Make sure that you are well fed and well rested before getting your COVID-19 vaccine. That is the advice of medical experts who say that fasting before the jab is not recommended.

According to Newsweek, Dr. Allison Weinman, a specialist in infectious diseases with the Henry Ford Health system, said that preparing properly for the vaccine could help boost its response and your well-being. Going to your appointment on an empty stomach can increase your risk of fainting or feeling dizzy afterwards.

"The night before, make sure to get a good night’s sleep – it will help your immune system work to its fullest potential," she said. "If your appointment is around a mealtime, you should also eat beforehand and drink water – don’t go to your appointment hungry or thirsty."

However, avoid drinking alcohol because that can lead to dehydration and also trigger allergic reactions to the drug.

"Since we do not yet know enough about the influence of alcohol on allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccines, I recommend avoiding drinking alcohol for 24 hours before and after your vaccination," said Dr. Blanka Kaplan, according to WebMD. Kaplan is an authority on adult and pediatric allergy and immunology at Northwell Health in Great Neck, New York. She added that if you are taking medications for existing allergies as prescribed by your doctor, do not stop them.

Furthermore, if you have a history of severe allergic reaction to vaccines or any of the components in the current drugs, consult with your healthcare professional before inoculation.

Kaplan advises to avoid strenuous exercise or taking vigorous hot showers two hours both before and after getting a COVID-19 vaccine to lower the risk of an allergic reaction.

According to reports, scientists say that the vaccine is safe for people with common allergies to drugs, certain foods, inhalants, and other products and they are unlikely to suffer a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction to the shot. People with any extreme allergies to the components of the Pfizer-BioNTech drug should not take it, say healthcare officials.

Common side effects after getting the vaccine include fatigue, a sore arm especially at the injection site, and fatigue, says Healthline. These side effects usually last 48 hours, and are relatively mild. In general, people experience more severe side effects after the second dose as the body responds appropriately to the vaccine by launching an attack on what it perceives to be an invading virus. It may be wise to prepare for that potential reaction by scheduling extra rest, say experts.

Interestingly, young people appear to have harsher reactions to vaccines than older folks "because their immune systems are more robust," according to Healthline.

There are currently three vaccines available in the U.S. that have been proven to prevent severe COVID-19 and reduce mortality. The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are both two-dose drugs. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are spaced three weeks apart, while the second Moderna shot is administered after four weeks. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is a single-dose drug.