Shock cases following administration of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Scientists check which ingredient causes the allergy

CDC reports that out of 500 people vaccinated by December 18, six people experienced anaphylactic shock or a severe allergic reaction. One of them was also revealed to have had a similar reaction – to the rabies vaccination. In turn, in the United Kingdom, two severe allergic reactions to Pfizer’s preparation have been reported. Now scientists are trying to determine which ingredient is causing the unwanted symptoms.

1. Specialists look very closely at all cases of allergic reactions to the vaccine
2. As they explain, there can be many causes of shock – anaphylactic shock, but also the so-called vasovagal fainting
3. The probability of anaphylactic shock after vaccination is about 1,31 per million, according to the data obtained so far.
4. Everyone who is vaccinated should be observed for a minimum of 15 minutes. For people who have had an allergic reaction to previous vaccinations – 30 minutes
5. For more up-to-date information on the coronavirus epidemic, visit the Onet homepage.

The main culprit is PEG

For several days now, scientists have been looking closely at the ingredients of COVID-19 vaccines in search of the culprit. The first candidate is a substance found in both Pfizer’s and Moderna’s preparations.

It is polyethylene glycol (PEG) – a compound indicated, among others, by Dr. Peter Marks, director of the US Food and Drug Administration’s Biological Assessment and Research Center.

“That’s the main culprit because the other ingredients in vaccines are lipids, salts and sugar, which aren’t usually allergenic,” said Dr. Purvi Parikh, an allergist and immunologist at NYU Langone Health, an independent medical expert.

PEG is also found in many drugs, for example for constipation, but allergy to these drugs is rare, experts say. However, rarely does not mean at all. Science Magazine reports that some PEG-containing drugs have already caused anaphylaxis. In addition, prior exposure to this compound may have resulted in the development of antibodies, increasing the risk of shock.

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‘We have to remember that we don’t know if these were actually allergic reactions,’ comments Dr Parikh. – These states could be similar, but much milder.

One is ‘vasovagal syncope’, which can be the result of severe anxiety such as seeing the needle and the prospect of having an injection. Then the heart rate and blood pressure drop and you faint.

True allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare, adds Dr. Parikh. – Statistically, it is more likely to be struck by lightning – explains the expert, admitting that now the most important thing is to obtain a full and professional assessment of these incidents.

A 2015 study in the Journal of Allergy Clinical Immunology found that the probability of anaphylactic shock after receiving the vaccine is about 1,31 per million.

The search for an ingredient that is responsible for severe allergic reactions begins

By December 19, health care workers across the United States had already received approximately 272. doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine. And the CDC reports that by December 20, this number has risen to 556 doses. Interestingly, if all cases of shock were confirmed, it would mean that the Pfizer vaccine causes allergic reactions in a greater percentage of people than other preparations of this type.

The clinical trials of Moderna and Pfizer carried out so far have shown no serious side effects. However, they excluded people allergic to any of the ingredients, although people with severe food or drug allergies are not. Science Magazine said Pfizer excluded anyone who had had a strong reaction to any vaccine in the past.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is just starting its tests to find out what causes allergic reactions to the Pfizer vaccine. Recruitment of volunteers who have had similar reactions in the past has just started.

Meanwhile, the CDC recommends that anyone who receives a Pfizer vaccine be observed for 15 minutes after vaccination (this is common practice with all vaccines). And anyone who has had severe allergic reactions in the past should stay in the office for half an hour. The CDC said all six patients had reactions within 30 minutes.

The editorial board recommends:

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2. Flisiak: by refusing to vaccinate, we must accept that some of the sick Poles will die
3. 14 diseases that we (almost) forgot thanks to vaccinations
4. Who can get vaccinated against COVID-19? CDC Recommendations

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