Regulators warning over possible allergic reaction to Pfizer jab if you have significant allergies

[CrunchyCarrot]

UK regulators warn people with history of 'significant' allergic reactions not to have Pfizer/BioNTech jab

Saw this flash up on the news just now.

news.sky.com/story/covid-19-vaccine-uk-regulators-warn-people-with-history-of-significant-allergic-reactions-not-to-have-pfizer-biontech-jab-12155916

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."

Something to consider if you do have significant allergies.

they were always planning to have to have at least 15 min time after each injection etc to account for this; a GP friend of mine said that was factored in ages ago, and one reason that GPs didn't want to do it, because the number of staff it takes to run a service like that, with all the waiting time, distancing, admin etc that would take would mean it ended up costing the GP practice loads of money even after the government payments.

@trulydelicious

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@OpheliasCrayon

I hope you can find a solution for the pain. It must be awful

Thanks, no it's not great.

I don't have anaphylaxis but I have severe and very unpredictable reactions to most things. There's no definite ingredient and the list is extensive, all cosmetics , most shampoo and conditioner, well anything that goes on my skin and then the majority of medications I try, for which there are an insane number. Now facing major surgery because I've run out of options and my doctors won't let me try anything else (and I don't want to) because of past reactions. So no way could I have this vaccine.

I don't think this is really news. One of the reasons people sanctimoniously go on about the "social" duty to be vaccinated is because some people can't have vaccines - usually, though not exclusively, because of allergies. Why would it be any different for this one?

@OpheliasCrayon that is very similar to my dsis and the reason why I think this isn’t just about true allergic reactions, it must make it more likely that people who react to products (not all reactions are allergic) will react to this. I know it’s very difficult to live with a condition like yours and I understand how you would not want to take the risk.

I think future vaccines should be ok so don’t give up hope.

It’s still completely worth having this one in play in society because it will reduce the risk of infection to everyone, which is going to help those who can’t be vaccinated. I will definitely be having it if offered .

@cologne4711 surely the whole point of vaccines is social duty? It doesn’t make someone a tosser because they value that principle ?

Well it's ok! I've had covid and it was really mild! So that's something!

@OpheliasCrayon are you on biologics? I stopped mine in Feb when I saw what was coming but I need to go back on them. Still a bit scared even though there’s mounting evidence that they don’t contribute to worse outcomes from Covid.

I need more clarity around 'significant allergy'.

Is a penicillin allergy significant, or a sulfonamide allergy - is it about the severity of the reaction?
When does an allergic history cross into 'significant' enough to be denied the vaccine, and when is it ok?

Has anyone seen anything more specific please?

@Barracker

I need more clarity around 'significant allergy'.

Is a penicillin allergy significant, or a sulfonamide allergy - is it about the severity of the reaction?
When does an allergic history cross into 'significant' enough to be denied the vaccine, and when is it ok?

Has anyone seen anything more specific please?

As in if you own a epipen?

I thought I had already read something along the lines of "EpiPen, OR history of..."

It's not terribly clear yet what the "or" encompasses

Allergic to eggs and have never had a flu jab. Have a some other allergies and intolerances too, so am certainly not in the rush for this one. This is what I was afraid of, that this vaccine is being rushed through and not enough thought has been given to people with allergies.

@IloveJKRowling

I have the flu jab every year, had the pneumonia jab last year, wasn't asked about allergies either time.

Whilst they probably should ask, they don't always but when you go to a pharmacy to have it, it's on the form they ask you to sign, so you have to read it and give signed consent to having the jab anyway. That's what's happened every time I've had the flu vac anyway.

I had the flu jab gir the first time this year (diabetic, het invited every year, always said no until this year). Didn't sign anything. I don't recall being asked if I'm allergic to anything. I forget what the correct term is for it now but it amounts to 'assumed consent' as you've voluntarily turn up to the appointment you were offered specifically for the purpose of the vaccination

Whilst they probably should ask, they don't always but when you go to a pharmacy to have it, it's on the form they ask you to sign, so you have to read it and give signed consent to having the jab anyway. That's what's happened every time I've had the flu vac anyway.

I've had it at a pharmacy in past years and didn't get asked. I'm sure about it because it is always a bit of a joke when I'm asked about allergies and I say dust, medical people always inform me dust isn't an issue. The thing is I do have a really strong reaction to dust, my eyes swell up and close, my lips swell and I have trouble breathing and itch all over. Obviously that is if it is a significant amount of dust. I only found out when I was the junior in my first job and was sent to clear out a stationery cupboard, as I staggered out of the cupboard one of my colleagues screamed, I think I looked a bit like a very red Frankenstein's monster, well a bit of a short one. So I always mention dust even though I know they dismiss it because it is a bad reaction.

@MyPersona

Well it's ok! I've had covid and it was really mild! So that's something!

@OpheliasCrayon are you on biologics? I stopped mine in Feb when I saw what was coming but I need to go back on them. Still a bit scared even though there’s mounting evidence that they don’t contribute to worse outcomes from Covid.

I am yes. However I have tried more than one, one hospitalized me (that was a biosimilar to the one i was taking , so it really was a very minor component part that caused the reaction) and another one caused psychosis and caused me to attempt suicide. So I am now not allowed to try any others and can only ever use the one I'm on. If I stop responding to that , I'm not allowed to try anything else.

So 2 people in over 1000 vaccinated, 0.2%, have had severe allergic reactions? And they were both healthcare workers who didn’t tell the vaccinators? Even though one carries an epipen? Or weren’t asked? Or didn’t understand?Or have I missed something?

[quote tootyfruitypickle]@OpheliasCrayon that is very similar to my dsis and the reason why I think this isn’t just about true allergic reactions, it must make it more likely that people who react to products (not all reactions are allergic) will react to this. I know it’s very difficult to live with a condition like yours and I understand how you would not want to take the risk.

I think future vaccines should be ok so don’t give up hope.

It’s still completely worth having this one in play in society because it will reduce the risk of infection to everyone, which is going to help those who can’t be vaccinated. I will definitely be having it if offered .[/quote]
Honestly I'm not fussed. I've never been concerned about covid, if I can't be vaccinated I can't be vaccinated. I have much more serious health issues to contend with ! If there's one I can have I may consider it but still I react to things NO one else does ... I was only upset at the thought that I might get barred from doing things because I genuinely couldn't have th vaccination but looks like that may hopefully not be the case and I can be exempt from it

@oneglassandpuzzled

So 2 people in over 1000 vaccinated, 0.2%, have had severe allergic reactions? And they were both healthcare workers who didn’t tell the vaccinators? Even though one carries an epipen? Or weren’t asked? Or didn’t understand?Or have I missed something?

We don't know any details just that they had allergic reactions. Sky is usually good at reporting stuff. Don't follow BBC news as a bit shite. Anyone seen the News or read anything further on it? It's pretty bad for it to fall at the first hurdle on Day 1.

It hasn’t fallen at the first hurdle.

I really don’t understand why a medical professional with allergies severe enough to carry an epipen would volunteer or consent to be among the first to have a new vaccine.
I have my annual flu jab at Boots and am always asked beforehand if I am well and if I have any allergies, and I’m asked to stay on the premises for five minutes afterwards to check that I don’t have any untoward reaction to it.

@oneglassandpuzzled

It hasn’t fallen at the first hurdle.

Yes it has

Pretty sure it was several thousand vaccinated yesterday, not just 1,000. Once it really gets going, they will be vaccinating over 100,000 per day.

I have an egg allergy so declined my invitation for a flu jab this year. Am also allergic to nuts and some fruits, have hay fever and eczema and am allergic to loads of bath/body/laundry products. This news about the vaccine does concern me a little especially after going into anaphylaxis after a childhood vaccination. Haven’t had any since!

Gutted. Father is a medical research scientist so I am well informed on the science and not worried about that part.

I have had two severe allergic reactions requiring hospitalisation, so won’t be allowed this vaccine.

As a result, I probably won’t get to see my family in Australia for even longer. It’s been 3 years already and I should be there now!

5000 were vaccinated yesterday. 2 reactions.

The flu consent form, that you sign, asks for allergic reactions. I see from posts here people don’t read it.

@unebaguettepastropcuite

Gutted. Father is a medical research scientist so I am well informed on the science and not worried about that part.

I have had two severe allergic reactions requiring hospitalisation, so won’t be allowed this vaccine.

As a result, I probably won’t get to see my family in Australia for even longer. It’s been 3 years already and I should be there now!

I'm hoping that those of us with genuine reasons would be exempt and not banned from travel. That would be grossly unfair! And also that's why other people having it and herd immunity is so important. So those of us who have absolutely genuine reasons don't need to literally risk our lives to have a vaccine.

There is more PEG in a scoop of ice cream than the vaccine it’s not something to be feared.