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Covid

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Original poster

Refused a jab due to allergies

50 replies

Catslovepies · 06/03/2021 19:23

DH went to his appointment at our local Boots to get his Covid jab this afternoon. He was asked if he has any allergies and he said yes he has a peanut allergy but that's it's not a severe allergy. They told him they couldn't give him a vaccine because of his allergy and to ring 119 and they would arrange for him to have his jab at a hospital instead.

He got home and rang 119 and they said they don't arrange vaccines and to ring his GP. He's going to ring on Monday and hopefully he will get through and get an appointment somewhere soon. We're gutted as we were so looking forward to him having it. The thing is, I can't find anything online about anyone else being refused a vaccine due to a food allergy that isn't even a severe allergy. I'm wondering whether the people at Boots have made a mistake. Has anyone else heard of this happening and if what was the outcome?

OP posts:

StopGo · 06/03/2021 19:24

I have a nut allergy and carry epipens. I've had the Astra Zeneca jab with no issues.

SunbathingDragon · 06/03/2021 19:29

I’d assume it’s their own policy because they don’t have anyone there who is medically trained (or sufficiently medically trained for their risk assessment) in the event of a reaction.

Nightmanagerfan · 06/03/2021 19:32

It will be because they want him to have it with a doctor present who can administer an epi pen if needed

Swifey40 · 06/03/2021 19:32

I had my Jan today, I'm only 43, and was called in especially to have it at a centre for this very reason. My allergies are different to your dh, but they had to make sure that I had the Oxford one, and that there was a Dr who sat with me for 30 mins after to make sure I was ok.

Swifey40 · 06/03/2021 19:33

Your GP should have flagged this really and sent your dh to a specialised vaccination place. He needs to have the Oxford one too, not the phizer (spelling?) one.

Swifey40 · 06/03/2021 19:34

Jab

SakuraEdenSwan1 · 06/03/2021 19:37

Peanut Allergy's could literally kill him so I would say it was very serious, Boots are correct and advised you correctly.

Original poster

Catslovepies · 06/03/2021 19:50

It was the Oxford jab they were giving out at Boots. I do think they should have flagged up when he made the appointment that they couldn't accept people with allergies. Someone else could have had his appointment slot for one thing. It just seems strange to me that I can't find anyone else online saying they experienced this also.

OP posts:

ilovemydogandmrobama2 · 06/03/2021 19:52

Am anaphylactic to peanuts. Had Pfizer and was fine

Nacreous · 06/03/2021 20:12

You can have either Pfizer or AZ with a peanut allergy. Depending on severity the doctors may be happy to do him there, or they may refer him through to an allergy clinic at the hospital.

Boots should be able to cope with it in theory but I understand their hesitance. There have been a few allergic reactions to jabs (which is unsurprising given the number of people vaccinated) and obviously making sure high risk patients are safe is very important.

HazeyJaneII · 06/03/2021 20:17

When the nurse called me to book me in it was Pfizer and I pointed out I had an epipen, they checked with a Dr who said I'd have to be rebooked in for Astra Zeneca. I had that last Thurs, and was just told to sit and wait in the waiting room or car with dh, for 15 minutes afterwards to see if there was a reaction.

ilovemydogandmrobama2 · 06/03/2021 20:25

@HazeyJaneII

That's interesting - when I had my vaccine everyone had to wait for 15 minutes before leaving. We all were given a piece of paper that had our, 'departure,' times. It was like an adult time out

RB68 · 06/03/2021 20:31

My understanding is that because allergies and response to allergens is specific to the individual they have to be vaccinated where there are people trained to react to a reaction. Best safe than sorry

HazeyJaneII · 06/03/2021 20:34

@ilovemydogandmrobama2
People who were driving were told to wait, but others were told they could go straight away.
There was no mention when booking, about being somewhere there were Drs who could deal with a reaction, or having a Dr present. I was told to bring my epipens and that was it.

flamingomingeo · 06/03/2021 21:35

If you have strong allergies eg causing anaphylaxis or have an allergy to injections, the rule is you have to get the vaccine at a hospital (no other healthcare setting is permissible). That’s all it is.

awishes · 06/03/2021 21:38

@flamingomingeo
I'm not sure that's correct as I am ana and had my vaccine at a mass vaccination centre today. I was asked if I wanted to wait 15 mins for monitoring.

Cookerhood · 06/03/2021 21:46

A bit weird that 119 wouldn't book it for him though. Isn't that what they are there for?

Cookerhood · 06/03/2021 21:47

I had to wait 15 minutes because I was driving, if I hadn't been driving I wouldn't have had to wait. When I did my volunteer vaccinator training they said everyone had to wait 15 mins.

flamingomingeo · 06/03/2021 21:53

[quote awishes]@flamingomingeo
I'm not sure that's correct as I am ana and had my vaccine at a mass vaccination centre today. I was asked if I wanted to wait 15 mins for monitoring.[/quote]
‘Individuals with a history of immediate onset-anaphylaxis to multiple classes of drugs or an unexplained anaphylaxis should not be vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, except on the advice of an allergy specialist. However, the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine can be used as an alternative (if not otherwise contraindicated), particularly if they previously tolerated an injected influenza vaccine. The vaccine should be administered in a setting with full resuscitation facilities (e.g. a hospital), and a 30 minute observation period is recommended.‘ NHS guidance last updated 4th March.

Fuckityfucksake · 06/03/2021 22:08

@Cookerhood

A bit weird that 119 wouldn't book it for him though. Isn't that what they are there for?

It's a separate number.

PurpleWh1teGreen · 06/03/2021 22:18

@Cookerhood

A bit weird that 119 wouldn't book it for him though. Isn't that what they are there for?

Yes - I'm a bit concerned by this. In fact I would recommend calling back tomorrow & speaking to someone else. Your DH should be able to have AZ at a one if the larger vaccine centres.

Check with your GP On Monday, if 119 won't help, but hopefully they will book him in.

awishes · 06/03/2021 22:21

@flamingomingeo
I can only recount what happened to me today!

Original poster

Catslovepies · 06/03/2021 22:28

DH has never had anaphylaxis. His peanut allergy causes severe diarrhea and vomiting a few hours after eating peanuts but not anaphylaxis. And he gets the flu jab every year. It sounds like an overzealous application of the guidance quoted by flamingomingeo. DH is insisting he's just going to ring his GP on Monday and I'm really hoping they take his call and sort this all out. It seems to me he's at greater risk from Covid than he is from the vaccine which was going to be the Oxford one at Boots anyway.

OP posts:

ArnoldBee · 06/03/2021 22:31

My husband had to have a doctor present as he has an allergy even though what he's allergic to is not in the jab. He's allergic reaction of death is a bit extreme though.

gamerchick · 06/03/2021 22:38

Individuals with a history of immediate onset-anaphylaxis to multiple classes of drugs or an unexplained anaphylaxis should not be vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, except on the advice of an allergy specialist

But husband had the Pfizer at a GP surgery and has had an anaphylaxis in the past. Maybe it's specific.

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