Serious allergic reactions to COVID-19 vaccinations are rare, health officials in the US said. More than 11 million individuals are now getting at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
In the first week and a half of the country's vaccine implementation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 21 people experienced anaphylaxis after administering a COVID-19 jab.
Around 1.9 million patients were vaccinated at that time, taking the number of serious allergic reactions to 11.1 cases per 1 million shots of vaccine used.
At least eight more reports of vaccine-related anaphylaxis were reported in the US since the experts finalized the study when millions of Americans are having their first COVID-19 jab.
We all assume, of course, that every vaccination would have zero adverse events. Nancy Messonnier, head of the National Centre for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases of the CDC, said at a press conference that it is a very secure vaccination, along with 11 cases per million doses administered.
Although very rare, the side effect of vaccination is anaphylaxis. That is the most serious form of an allergic reaction.
Is this common or rare? Rare AND about the same as we see (and tolerate) from contrast agents used for CT scans. #COVID19vaccines #anaphylaxis #MedTwitter #AIMedEd pic.twitter.com/NiHgVsFljN
— Kimberly Blumenthal, MD, MSc (@KimberlyBlumen1) December 31, 2020
The CDC's reported risk of anaphylaxis for coronavirus shots is higher than the flu vaccine. That is 11.1 cases per 1 million doses for the COVID-19 shots compared to 1.3 cases per 1 million doses for the flu shots.
Compared to flu vaccinations, Dr. Messonnier said that the record could seem huge. However, Messonnier assured that this is still an unusual outcome.
What do we talk of allergic responses like these?
Of the 21 persons that experienced anaphylaxis during their first COVID-19 jab, 17 had a history of reactions to medications, narcotics, meats, and insect stings.
Seven of them had suffered from anaphylactic attacks before, and four were hospitalized. None of the 21 persons tested by the CDC had expired. All of the 20 individuals with open follow-up records had achieved a complete recovery.
Most people were administered an immediate dose of epinephrine, the medication found in EpiPens, to combat acute allergic reactions. Within 15 minutes of getting vaccinated, most experienced a reaction.
Therefore, the CDC advises that persons stay at least 15 minutes after getting their COVID-19 jab (as seen in other immunizations) or 30 minutes if they have a history of anaphylaxis or reactions to the vaccine.
While anaphylaxis incidence during COVID-19 vaccination was marginally higher than after the flu vaccine, the risk remained quite low, pediatrician Nick Wood, the National Centre for Immunization Testing and Surveillance, said.
Dr. Wood, an associate professor at the University of Sydney, said it has to be organized, well-trained, and have the appropriate tools to treat an anaphylactic occurrence for the vaccination program and the healthcare staff administering it.
He continued that, with adequate diagnosis and appropriate adrenaline administration, the allergic reaction is extremely treatable.
How are we going to know the vaccinations are safe?
Before being licensed for use, COVID-19 vaccines, like most vaccines, are expected to go through major clinical trials and safety tests, Dr. Groom said.
According to Dr. Groom, clinical trials are an extensive procedure because protection is at the core of the process.
Health officials intend to hold a careful watch on them long when vaccinations are carried out in the population, tracking safety issues.
Dr. Groom noted that those who have been vaccinated in the United Kingdom and the United States are sent off with a paper slip that encourages them to report anything they physically feel after receiving the shot.
Who's not going to be vaccinated?
Most instances of anaphylaxis in the US have arisen so far in persons that have administered the Pfizer vaccine instead of the Modern vaccine. However, it is unknown if it is because, Dr. Messonnier said, more of the Pfizer vaccine has been provided.
The CDC advises that the second dose can not be administered to someone who has experienced an anaphylactic response to the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. It also advises that someone resistant to certain COVID-19 vaccine products need not be vaccinated.
It is also advised that those with a history of allergies not linked to vaccinations, such as diets, livestock, insects, or oral drugs, have a COVID-19 injection.
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