London: Regulators have added allergic reaction warnings for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. Anyone with a history of significant allergic reactions are advised not to have the vaccine shot.
Two NHS staff members on Tuesday showed allergic reactions after receiving the jab.
“Signs of an allergic reaction may include itchy skin rash, shortness of breath and swelling of the face or tongue,” a leaflet with the vaccine reads.
Prof Stephen Powis, the national medical director for the NHS in England, said: “As is common with new vaccines, the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) 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.”
The MHRA advice states: “Any person with a history of a significant allergic reaction to a vaccine, medicine or food (such as previous history of anaphylactoid reaction or those who have been advised to carry an adrenaline autoinjector) should not receive the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine. Resuscitation facilities should be available at all times for all vaccinations. Vaccination should only be carried out in facilities where resuscitation measures are available.”
The detailed phase 3 clinical trial of this Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine revealed that only 0.63 per cent of volunteers developed allergic reactions.
