UK regulator issues allergy warning on Covid vaccine



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UK regulators have issued a warning that people who have a history of “significant” allergic reactions should not currently receive the Pfizer / BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine after two people who received the injection yesterday had allergic reactions.

Two NHS staff members who received the vaccine on the first day of the mass vaccination program suffered an allergic reaction, the NHS England confirmed.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has given precautionary advice to the NHS and is confident that anyone with a history of “significant” allergic reactions to drugs, foods or vaccines should not receive the vaccine. .

The NHS in England said that all trusts involved with the vaccination program have been informed.

This means that anyone scheduled to receive the vaccine today will be asked about their history of allergic reactions.


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Professor Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of the NHS in England, said: “As is common with new vaccines, the MHRA has advised as a precaution that people with a significant history of allergic reactions do not receive this vaccine after two people with a The history of major allergic reactions responded negatively yesterday.

“They are both recovering well.”

The MHRA advice states: “Anyone with a history of a significant allergic reaction to a vaccine, drug or food (such as a prior history of anaphylactoid reaction or those who have been recommended to carry an adrenaline autoinjector) should not receive the Pfizer / BioNtech vaccine.

“Resuscitation facilities must be available at all times for all vaccines. Vaccination should only be carried out in facilities where resuscitation measures are available.”

It is understood that both staff members had a significant history of allergic reactions, to the extent that they need to carry an adrenaline auto-injector.

They developed symptoms of an “anaphylactoid reaction” shortly after receiving the vaccine and both recovered after appropriate treatment.

Pfizer said the vaccine was “well tolerated” during the trials without “serious safety concerns.”

A spokeswoman said: “The MHRA has informed us of two reports of yellow cards that may be associated with an allergic reaction due to the administration of the Covid-19 BNT162b2 vaccine.”

“As a precautionary measure, the MHRA has issued temporary guidance to the NHS as it conducts an investigation to fully understand each case and its causes. Pfizer and BioNTech are supporting the MHRA in the investigation.

“In the pivotal phase three clinical trial, this vaccine was generally well tolerated with no serious safety concerns reported by the independent Data Monitoring Committee.

The trial has enrolled more than 44,000 participants to date, more than 42,000 of whom have received a second vaccine. ”



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