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.

@Zippy1510

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

You clearly don't understand allergies. Even a tiny particle can cause a severe reaction.

@LemonTT

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.

They don’t ask you to sign anything at my GP surgery.

It absolutely hasnt fallen at the first hurdle. What an idiotic thing to say! 2 people out of hundreds who had a history of alergic reactions had an alergic reaction.

I'm sure that pp was one of several on here who have been doom mongering from the start and has been waiting with baited breath to shout "I told you so!" At the slightest thing.

Pathetic really

Some people positive revel in being all doom and gloom.

@Zippy1510

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

Yeh....don't think you have severe allergies do you?

@Zippy1510

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

It's more complicated than that, @Zippy1510. You should read the article @JS87 posted on the first page of this thread:

www.aaaai.org/global/latest-research-summaries/New-Research-from-JACI-In-Practice/inactive

The size of the PEG molecule can make a difference as to an individual's reaction. Whatever is in icecream (and why do we even need such additives, really?) is probably totally different in size to the PEG in the Pfizer vaccine (2000 molecular weight). Also you're having it delivered directly into cells, not via the gut, although if you read that article, it's clear PEG in the gut can affect some people and cause anaphylaxis.

@cologne4711

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?

The reason it's news is because with other vaccines it's only people who are allergic to the ingredients in it that are advised not to take it. In addition to that a small number of people (tiny) will react to the vaccine with no known history.

What's different here is that people with ANY previous history of serious allergies to any food/medicine are being told to avoid it.

To the point a PP made about why a medical professional with a known allergy history would be amongst the first to take it, it's because of this. Of their allergies were to totally unrelated things they would have felt reasonably sage to take it - as would I if I hadn't seen this. Now I and the many, many others with serious but unrelated allergies, know that we can't have this one.

Safe. Not sage 🙄

My friend who is frontline NHS was meant to be having the vaccine today, but now can’t due to previous anaphylaxis - how disappointing for her

I'm gutted that I probably won't be able to have it as I have a severe allergic reaction to penicillin. I work for NHS and would hopefully be getting it soon.
Just feels like the glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel is stretching further away again.

I hope you can have one of the other vaccines, lady.

@oneglassandpuzzled

I hope you can have one of the other vaccines, lady.

Thanks oneglass, I really hope so.

Will be interesting when they clarify a bit better, I understand about being an epi pen carrier but like many people I have a penicillin allergy, apparently most people don’t have a true penicillin allergy just a intolerance, I came out in huge hives all over when I had it as a small child and am at risk from anaphylaxis if I were to ever have it again. So although I don’t carry an epi pen and have no other known allergies I’d be interested to hear what they advise for a true penicillin allergy.

Bit of a blow really, I was eager to be in line with my arm out for phase 2.

@GlowingOrb

My allergies aren’t even that esoteric, but companies keep using these ingredients without concern for people like us

Agreed.

I hope that for new technology vaccines and for those under development that will have proprietary adjuvants, that ingredients are required to be fully listed on the prospectus. For instance, that for adjuvant CpG 1018 (Dynavax) all ingredients are listed rather than just the name of the proprietary product.

Otherwise it will make it very difficult for people with allergies to assess the safety of future vaccines

(I know the issue is more to do with those with a severe allergy to anything in relation to Pfizer and this thread, but still...)

Like others, I've always been asked about allergic reactions before my flu vaccine and asked to wait for 10 minutes after it to check I was feeling ok. It's better that they identify this risk now, early on, and advise accordingly so that those who know they are vulnerable to allergic reactions are aware.

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

I've never been asked to sign a form before my flu jab, I've never been asked about allergies. When I've had it at a pharmacy I've been asked to sit and wait for a few minutes after the jab, at the GP surgery you are straight out the door. This year they have even made new exit doors in consulting rooms where windows used to be and weren't even given time to put jackets back on but left immediately, the door was indicated and we took the hint.

Why do people assume that everywhere is the same as the place they go, GP surgery or pharmacy?

Tell me if this thought is a daft one - what if people don’t know whether they’re allergic to that ingredient?

Might there not be a few that are not aware of that yet ...

There will always be new reactions, but the centres will be primed and ready to deal with those. I think everyone is observed for a time after the jab and they'll have adrenaline etc on standby.

@Nellee

Tell me if this thought is a daft one - what if people don’t know whether they’re allergic to that ingredient?

Might there not be a few that are not aware of that yet ...

I was wondering this but if they really do keep an eye on everyone for 15 minutes or so and there is always a doc on hand I suppose that's still ok . Still worrying though.

In most cases if someone was prone to getting nasty reactions with jabs I imagine they would know about it.

borntobequiet Wed 09-Dec-20 18:33:23
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.

This ^^ keeps running through my head . I can't escape the thought that they were noble volunteers who were part of an attempt to test the safety of the vaccine on those with severe allergies .
I know that's not a logical thought but I can't shake it .

@peridito

Trying to blame the victims is not on.

In most cases if someone was prone to getting nasty reactions with jabs I imagine they would know about it

Not really, every GP I've ever had has chased me about the flu jab even though I'm on record as being allergic to it. I don't think they check each individual's allergies, perhaps it's time they made it into a habit.

@peridito

borntobequiet Wed 09-Dec-20 18:33:23 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.

This ^^ keeps running through my head . I can't escape the thought that they were noble volunteers who were part of an attempt to test the safety of the vaccine on those with severe allergies .
I know that's not a logical thought but I can't shake it .

I personally have such severe allergies which can't be treated with an epi pen that I will always ask and I will rarely take anything.

However you can't blame or point fingers at them. What if they've been working through the entire pandemic, have people in their home who are at risk and were desperate to be able to protect family from risk

You absolutely cannot judge someone you don't know .

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.

Well no one told them there was any reason to hesitate.

to the point a PP made about why a medical professional with a known allergy history would be amongst the first to take it, it's because of this. Of their allergies were to totally unrelated things they would have felt reasonably sage to take it - as would I if I hadn't seen this. Now I and the many, many others with serious but unrelated allergies, know that we can't have this one.
Thank you @Ronia