How many people have experienced anaphylactic shock after vaccination against COVID-19? There is new information

Cases of a severe allergic reaction following the administration of the Pfizer vaccine caused considerable anxiety among people. Doctors reassured that there was no need to panic. Now, more information has been released regarding the possibility of anaphylaxis after vaccination against COVID-19.

1. CDC: 1,9 cases of anaphylaxis were documented after 14 million people were vaccinated between 23 and 21 December
2. Nancy Messonnier, senior CDC official: this equates to an average of 11,1 cases of anaphylaxis per million doses administered
3. Common symptoms: rash, throat feeling closed, tongue swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, swollen lips, nausea, persistent dry cough
4. Messonnier: Cases of anaphylaxis are still ‘extremely rare’ and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks
5. More information on vaccination against COVID-19 can be found on the Onet homepage.

Vaccinations against COVID-19. Disturbing information about anaphylaxis

In mid-December, the British Medicines Regulatory Agency (MHRA) reported two cases of anaphylactic shock following the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech. Later it turned out that six Americans had suffered a severe allergic reaction after the vaccination. The news caused anxiety. Let us remind you that anaphylactic shock is a medical emergency which, if left untreated, leads to death.

The researchers emphasized that anaphylactic reactions can occur with any vaccine, but that they are extremely rare. They also pointed out that they sensitized not virus or bacterial antigens, but additional vaccine components. Pfizer representatives reminded that the description of the vaccine clearly states that during administration of the preparation the vaccinated person should have access to treatment and medical supervision in the event of an anaphylactic reaction following vaccination.

1. Who can get vaccinated against COVID-19? CDC Recommendations

Experts had no doubts that vaccination should be continued. “We have to vaccinate,” concludes Dr. Phillips. – We must try to reduce this pandemic. But we also urgently need new data, they said in December.

New information on the severe allergic reactions observed after vaccination has just come out. They were announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a US government agency that is part of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Vaccinations against COVID-19. “11,1 cases of anaphylaxis per million doses administered”

On Wednesday, January 6, the CDC reported the number of cases of anaphylaxis that occurred after 1 people were vaccinated between December 893 and 360. 14 cases of anaphylaxis have been documented. According to CDC officials, roughly one in 23 people who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine had severe allergic reactions.

— This is an average of 11,1 cases of anaphylaxis per million doses administered, Nancy Messonnier, a senior CDC official told reporters. She reported for comparison that flu vaccines cause about 1,3 cases of anaphylaxis per million doses administered.

Of the 21 cases of a severe allergic reaction following vaccination, 19 occurred in women. The mean duration of symptoms was 13 minutes (this range ranged from two to 150 minutes). Four patients with anaphylaxis were hospitalized, including three in the intensive care unit, and 17 were treated in the emergency room (19 were given adrenaline). The most common symptoms observed in this group were rash, throat closure, tongue swelling, hives, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, lip swelling, nausea, and persistent dry cough.

At the time of collecting the data for the report, all but one hospitalized patients were discharged home. No deaths have been recorded.

Messonnier emphasizes what doctors say is that cases of anaphylaxis are still ‘extremely rare’ and the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the risks. Fortunately, we know how to treat anaphylaxis, and those giving the vaccine are ready to respond immediately.

Vaccinations against COVID-19. What can cause allergies?

So far, the United States has approved two vaccines for emergency use – one developed by Pfizer, the other by Moderna (Poles are already vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine, and the Moderna preparation is to be delivered soon).

1. When will Moderna vaccines come to Poland? The president of ARM responds

As sciencealert.com points out, both vaccines contain information to prevent people with a known history of allergic reactions to vaccine ingredients to avoid taking them. People who have a strong reaction to the first dose are also asked not to take the second dose.

So far, it is still uncertain what may be causing the allergy. One hypothesis is polyethylene glycol (PEG), which has never been used in vaccines before (Pfizer and Moderna used PEG molecules as part of a protective sheath surrounding their main component, mRNA). PEG can be found in everyday products, including laxatives, shampoos, toothpaste, and some medications.

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Sciencealert.com emphasizes that there is currently “not enough data yet to know what the rate of anaphylaxis with Moderna is” or whether there will be a significant difference between the two vaccines.

Finally, it is worth recalling the opinion of Dr. n. med. Ernest Kuchar, chairman of the Polish Society of Vaccine: – We know that the main contraindication (for vaccination against COCID-19 – editor’s note) is a history of severe allergic reaction. It is not about a situation where someone is allergic to, for example, flowering plants and reacts with a runny nose – but about people who go to hospital after vaccination due to anaphylaxis. It is a life-threatening condition. If someone has been hospitalized with anaphylaxis, either they should not be vaccinated – or the procedure should be performed under special conditions. However, the incidence of anaphylaxis is estimated to be approximately one in a million. The risk is real, but small – he emphasized (after PAP).

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