ARLINGTON HEIGHTS (Dec. 22, 2020) Following reports of some patients experiencing anaphylaxis after getting a COVID-19 vaccine, theCDC has issued guidance related to COVID-19 vaccines and severe allergic reactions. Specifically, the CDC recommends patients experiencing a severe allergic reaction after getting the first shot should not get the second shot. The CDC also says that doctors may refer these patients to a specialist in allergies and immunology to provide more care or advice.

Reactions to vaccines, in general, are rare, with the incidence of anaphylaxis estimated at 1.31 in 1 million doses given. With the FDA emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine on December 11, 2020 and the Moderna vaccine on December 18, 2020, the ACAAI COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force recommends the following guidance for physicians and other providers related to risk of an allergic reaction on vaccination.

These recommendations are based on best knowledge to date but could change at any time, pending new information and further guidance from the FDA or CDC.

Editors note: Please contact Hollis Heavenrich-Jones hollisheavenrich-jones@acaai.org 847-725-2277 if you would like to interview a member of the ACAAI Covid Task Force on the topic of allergic reactions to the vaccines.

About ACAAI The ACAAI is a professional medical organization of more than 6,000 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. The College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administer immunotherapy, and provide patients with the best treatment outcomes. For more information and to find relief, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. Join us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

References

McNeil MM, Weintraub ES, Duffy J, et al. Risk of anaphylaxis after vaccination in children and adults.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016; 137(3):868-878.

Dreskin et al. International Consensus (ICON): allergic reactions to vaccines.World Allergy Organization Journal2016; 9:32.

Wylon, K., Dlle, S. & Worm, M. Polyethylene glycol as a cause of anaphylaxis.J Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol.12,67 (2016).

Stone CA, Liu Y, et al. Immediate Hypersensitivity to Polyethylene Glycols and Polysorbates: More Common Than We Have Recognized.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.2019; 7(5): 15331540.

Sellaturay P, et al. Polyethylene GlycolInduced Systemic Allergic Reactions (Anaphylaxis),J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.2020.

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American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Updates Guidance on Risk of Allergic Reactions to mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines - Newswise