Piknic Is Getting Its Own Walk-In Vaccination Site & We Asked What To Do If You're Drunk

In what could possibly be the most fun experience you'll ever have getting a vaccine, Piknic Électronik is partnering with the CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal to host a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinic this Sunday, July 11.

The clinic is open to festival-goers as well as anyone visiting Parc Jean-Drapeau. Since it's no secret that drugs and alcohol go hand-in-hand with music festivals, we asked what you should you know if you're planning on getting a vaccine dose and also planning on being inebriated. 

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A Piknic Électronik spokesperson told MTL Blog that "there are no known interactions between vaccines and substance use (drugs and alcohol)."   

Still, public health told us it does not recommend attending your vaccination appointment under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Annie Dufour, media relations advisor for the CIUSSS, gave us a few reasons why that is.

Firstly, she said the health care provider giving the vaccine needs informed consent from the person receiving it before administering the dose. 

"Alcohol and drugs can impair the ability to fully understand the information given," she said.

Secondly, the side effects of excessive substance use and the side effects of drugs and alcohol may be the same, making it difficult to interpret "clinical manifestations" after vaccination.

In other words, how can you tell if you're feeling faint due to a reaction to the vaccine or due to too much booze?

She said health care professionals on-site will be able to assess whether a person can receive the vaccine.

According to Piknic, the location and time — from 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the entrance to the site — were chosen strategically in order to ensure people can give their clear consent if they want to get vaccinated.   

This article's cover photo was used for illustrative purposes only.