Doctors: Allergy sufferers concerned about vaccine

With plants and trees blooming, many Connecticut residents are deep in the throes of spring allergy season.

Some of those allergy sufferers are considering getting a vaccine to protect themselves against COVID-19 — and they have a lot of questions, doctors say.

“The question of ‘Is it safe to get the vaccine or will my allergies put me at risk?’ is the No. 1 question I’ve gotten the last couple of months,” said Dr. Philip Hemmers, head of the department of allergy and immunology at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport.

“People are concerned,” echoed Dr. Kenneth Backman, chairman of the section of allergy at Bridgeport Hospital.

In addition to worrying about whether their allergies put them at risk for side effects from the COVID vaccines, some patients also wondered whether their allergy medications might have dangerous interactions with the vaccines.

But experts said most allergy sufferers — including those who take medications — should not have any problems with the vaccine.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, “the only contraindication is a history of a severe allergic reaction to any of the vaccine components, including sensitivity to PEG (polyethylene glycol) and/or polysorbate, which cross reacts with PEG.” It’s safe for people with most other allergies, including those to food and environmental triggers, experts said.

“Even someone with a life-threatening food allergy is not at risk for the vaccine,” Hemmers said.

An allergic reaction happens when the body’s immune system has an extreme response to a substance, such as dust, pollen or a certain food.

The College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology reports that more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies every year, and allergies are the sixthleading cause of chronic illness in the United States.