Why the 15 minute wait after the vaccine? (And is that just for Pfizer?)

[Crunchymum]

Is is all the vaccines that require a 15 minute wait and what is the reason?

@Sometimesonly

Best practice is to monitor and wait 15 mins after any vaccine. This. Both ds and I have fainted after vaccines - far better that it happened in the waiting room than on the way home.

I was told it was in case you fainted whilst driving. Walking fine. (AZ)

Well 5 mins after mine I practically passed out, went drip white and felt sick so just as well i hung around for a bit. No other symptoms though.

Around here, no wait at all for any AZ jabs, 15 mins mandatory for all Pfizer.

I'm currently waiting my 15 minutes after the first dose of moderna.

I had to wait 15 minutes in the car after AZ. They said it's due to car insurance.

I had AZ. Didn’t have to wait. They shovelled you out of the door as quickly as possible.

I’m pretty sure I’ve been told to wait for a short period after every vaccine I’ve ever had.

As people have mentioned, there are two main risks that the waits are designed to mitigate against:

1. Fainting: some people will faint if any needle goes into their arm, but this isn't too much of a problem as long as they aren't driving at the time. It is most likely to happen pretty much straight away.
2. Anaphylaxis: severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening without prompt medical attention. It usually starts quite quickly but may sometimes take a few minutes. The AZ vaccine is statistically unlikely to provoke anaphylaxis, so many centres will only encourage a wait if the citizen is anxious or prone to fainting or intends to drive away. Other vaccines, e.g. Pfizer, contain an ingredient that a small number of people will have an anaphylactic response to, so everyone is strongly encouraged to wait for 15 minutes. The waiting time means that if they were to react, they would be in a safe place with immediate medical support on hand. Just because someone did not react to the first dose does not guarantee that they won't react to the second dose.

I had to wait 15 mins for AZ.

it's in case of allergic reactions as pp says.
in theory this isthe advice for any vaccine but I don't think it's well communicated at all.

Why do they make you wait for 15 minutes with the second dose too?

Because you need to have something once to be allergic to it and whilst unlikely, you might never have come across a particular ingredient in the vaccine before having it the first time. You can also go from a mild, unnoticeable, allergy to full blown anaphylactic shock within two experiences of something.

@Fizzgigg

It's only Pfizer. I have a serious allergy and had AZ and asked was I supposed to wait and they told me no, that's only for Pfizer

I've just had AZ this morning & was asleep still wait 15mins as I was driving, those who were walking or had got a lift were ok to leave straight away 🤷🏼‍♀️

I had AZ at a mass vacc centre. I drove myself there and back. I wasn't told to wait at all after being jabbed. I chose to wait about 5 mins in my car but the car park was small and very busy so I felt pressured by the parking marshals to clear out quickly.

You're asked to wait for 15 mins after Pfizer and Moderna for observation in case of (very low risk of) anaphylaxis. For AZ not necessary, only suggested not to drive straight away.

I had Pfizer and was asked to wait for 15 minutes after my injection.

However, there was nobody enforcing it, I sat for about a minute while I texted DH, then walked out.

Thanks for the insight and information!!!

I had AZ and was told to wait before driving. I thought who is going to notice me in my car having some sort of reaction?

I had to wait 15 mins with AZ because of driving. To me it made sense because of possible allergy. Plus some people feel a little light headed after any jab X

I'm a vaccinator

-Pfizer - 15 mins wait
-Moderna - 15 min wait
-AZ - 15 min wait only if driving or history of allergies.

Less chance of anaphylaxis with AZ

You are asked to do similar after first flu vaccination too.

You can sit in the car, we were told to wait to drive. ( we didn’t!)