Vaccinations and allergies - am I going to be allowed one?

[Aberforthsgoat]

There seems to be a link (how strong is unclear as the media are obviously only reporting severe reactions to the vaccine) between people with a history of allergies and the vaccine causing anaphylaxis

I have a severe allergy and was wondering if this means it’s going to rule me out of all vaccines or just the one we’ve started rolling out? I saw there was a doctor in America who had also suffered a reaction.

You need to speak to your GP but I would imagine that they’re being ultra cautious; they don’t want to alarm anyone or give the anti-vaxxers any ammunition.

I think they're being ultra cautious- a family member had a reaction to their last flu vaccine and isn't being allowed the Covid vaccine (they have had Covid, but their GP has still advised they shield as much as possible)

I imagine they’re being very cautious.

I’m allergic to kiwi, I also have a mild allergy to two things in the kiwi family. Unless it contains any of those three things, or if the supply chain does, I don’t see why me having it would be a problem. I’ve never had a vaccine reaction before, including yellow fever, rabies etc.

But if enough people are vaccinated that should protect us via herd immunity.

As I understand it, it is the RNA vaccines that are potentially a problem for those with a history of anaphylaxis but other types of vaccine which are on the way may be more suitable.

I think as more research is done into the vaccines they will be able to narrow down which particular allergies are unsuitable for each vaccine. So although you might not be able to have it at the moment, give it a few months and there will be more specific advice.
Of course it's not ideal but they needed to give a blanket rule for serious allergy sufferers to give them time to look into it more fully.

My relative has been contacted to say he cannot have the mRNA vaccine as he has suffered anaphylaxis twice and carries an Epi-pen. It will depend on whether you have suffered anaphylaxis previously. Contact your GP for advice. I'm sure they will err on the side of caution and you may have to have the Oxford vaccine instead.

We are not giving the vaccine to anyone who used an epipen. Any other allergy is ok.