UK regulators have advised people who have a history of “significant” allergic reactions not to get the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against coronavirus disease (Covid-19). The Medicines and Health Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) issued precautionary advice to the National Health Service (NHS) after two members of the healthcare staff experienced allergic reactions.
NHS England confirmed that both staff members have a significant history of allergic reactions to the extent that they need to carry an adrenaline auto-injector. Shortly after the two staff members were given the first dose of Pfizer’s vaccine, they developed symptoms of an “anaphylactoid reaction.” They are currently recovering after receiving proper treatment, British media reported.
The MHRA has warned that people with “major” allergic reactions to drugs, foods, or vaccines should not get the vaccine. Dr. June Raine, executive director of the MHRA, testified before a parliamentary committee Wednesday, where she acknowledged that cases of allergic reactions were not featured in the extensive clinical trials.
“We know from very large clinical trials that this was not a feature. But if we need to strengthen our advice, now that we have had this experience in vulnerable populations, the groups have been selected as a priority, we send that advice to the field immediately, ”said Dr. Raine.
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Britain on Tuesday launched the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, becoming the first Western nation to begin inoculating its general population. Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old grandmother from Great Britain, became the first person in the world to receive Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine outside of a trial.
The Data Monitoring Committee for the Pfizer vaccine phase 3 trial study has not reported any serious safety concerns related to the vaccine. He reported some cases of fatigue and headache after the volunteers received the second dose of the vaccine.
“The only requested Grade 3 (serious) adverse events greater than or equal to 2% in frequency after the first or second dose were 3.8% fatigue and 2.0% headache after dose 2,” Pfizer said in a release.
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