Covid-19 Allergic reactions to jab ‘not unexpected’
ALLERGIC reactions to vaccines are “not unexpected”, scientists have said as they seek to reassure the public over the safety of the new Covid-19 vaccine.
It comes after two NHS staff members who received the jab on Tuesday had allergic reactions after being given the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.
The health workers, who are understood to both have a history of severe allergic reactions, were among thousands to receive the vaccine on the first day of the Covid-19 mass vaccination programme.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has given precautionary advice to NHS trusts that anyone who has a history of “significant” allergic reactions to medicines, food or vaccines should not receive the vaccine.
The patient safety leaflet for the vaccine cautions that anyone with an allergy to any of the active substances in the vaccine should not receive the jab.
It adds: “Signs of an allergic reaction may include itchy skin rash, shortness of breath and swelling of the face or tongue.”
The NHS in England said all trusts involved with the vaccination programme have been informed.
This means that anyone scheduled to receive the vaccine will be asked about their history of allergic reactions.
Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director for the NHS in England, said: “As is common with new vaccines, the MHRA have advised on a precautionary basis that people with a significant history of allergic reactions do not receive this vaccination after two people with a history of significant allergic reactions responded adversely yesterday.
“Both are recovering well.” Pfizer said the vaccine was “well tolerated” during the trials with “no serious safety concerns”.
Stephen Evans, professor of pharmacoepidemiology at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: “Allergic reaction occurs with quite a number of vaccines, and perhaps even more frequently with drugs. So it is not unexpected.”
He added: “What would be wise, as the MHRA have already advised, would be for anyone who has known severe allergic reaction such that they need to carry an EpiPen, to delay having a vaccination until the reason for the allergic reaction has been clarified.
“For the general population this does not mean that they would need to be anxious about receiving the vaccination. One has to remember that even things like Marmite can cause unexpected severe allergic reactions.”
Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol, said: “Severe allergic reactions to vaccines are unusual but staff administering vaccines are always trained and equipped to deal with them in the event they occur.
“The report of occurrence of two reactions, as reported today, will heighten awareness of this possibility among immunising teams and sensible precautions to avoid exposure of those who have had previous severe allergic reactions are being proposed while more experience of using this new vaccine accumulates.”