Should the COVID-19 vaccine be administered on an empty stomach?
Generally, fasting is not required before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Individuals with specific health conditions should consult their doctor prior to vaccination and adjust their diet accordingly based on personal health status. If any adverse reactions occur after vaccination, prompt medical attention is recommended. The analysis is as follows:
Fasting is not necessary before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Diet before and after vaccination should follow normal daily habits, and there is no need for intentional fasting. Receiving the vaccine on an empty stomach may increase the risk of adverse reactions, such as hypoglycemia, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, palpitations, or general discomfort. These side effects could impact the recipient's health and reduce the overall comfort of the vaccination process. However, an empty stomach does not affect the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine—regardless of whether one is fasting or not, the immune system can still produce antibodies normally, achieving the expected antibody positivity rate and effectively preventing infection by the novel coronavirus.
It is recommended to maintain regular eating and sleeping habits before vaccination to ensure the body is in a healthy state when receiving the vaccine.