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Until now, the majority of adverse responses to Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine have been allergic reactions that were immediately treated by medical professionals.
Sarah Tew / CNET
the Vaccine for COVID-19 now dispensed nationwide (find out your coronavirus vaccine priority). For the vast majority of people, COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech has proven to be safe in large-scale clinical trials. However, as with any new medicine, there is also a great sense of caution, especially for people who have had adverse reactions to vaccines in the past.
Experts have advised certain groups of people to take special precautions when receiving the coronavirus vaccine, such as staying in place for a period of time after receiving the injection, to allow medical professionals to monitor any reactions. A doctor has also identified an even smaller number of people who, according to him, should completely abstain from receiving the vaccine; however, other experts disagree.
But what about pregnant or nursing mothers and people with common allergies to things like pollen or pet hair? Patients with other medical conditions? For these groups and others, the Pfizer vaccine is considered safe to take, according to the US Food and Drug Administration, which licensed it in an emergency. Children, however, are an entirely different story (read on to find out why).
If you have a history of allergies, you may be asked to wait 15 to 30 minutes after receiving the vaccine so that medical personnel can observe you.
Sarah Tew / CNET
Here, we compile the data available from the FDA along with information from leading health experts to present guidance on who is recommended to take Pfizer. Vaccine for COVID-19 and who should see their doctor first. Consult your doctor if you have any questions about what type of COVID-19 vaccine may be right for you.
When will there be a COVID-19 vaccine for children?
At this time, Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine is licensed for use in people 16 years of age and older. This is, in part, because of the several dozen COVID-19 vaccines in development, including Pfizer’s, none have been tested in children 12 years and younger. Vaccines are typically first tested in adults before researchers begin testing in children, once the drug has been found to be relatively safe.
Another factor is that COVID-19 appears to prevent children from suffering the worst outcomes. A September CDC report counted just 121 children among the 190,000 people who had died so far from the coronavirus. Other research has found that children contract and spread the coronavirus about half as much as adults, although they are still considered vectors of the spread of COVID-19, especially among high-risk populations. For example, a CDC report this summer highlighted a summer camp in Georgia where the coronavirus was rampant, resulting in more than 250 children and young adults testing positive for it.
Moderna has announced that it will be the first coronavirus vaccine manufacturer to test its vaccine in children ages 12 to 17.
Stephen Shankland / CNET
Moderna will soon begin pediatric clinical trials with children ages 12 to 17, the company announced in early December. Good sign. Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine is already on the cusp of FDA clearance, which means children could have a COVID-19 vaccine option sooner rather than later if it is shown to be just as safe and effective for children. minors.
Should people with allergies get the COVID-19 vaccine?
In the UK, on the first day of the Pfizer vaccine, doctors observed two patients who experienced severe allergic reactions to the drug. British doctors are now told to monitor patients for 15 minutes after the vaccine is administered to make sure they do not have similar reactions. Two health workers in Alaska had similar reactions, one of whom was hospitalized for two days of observation.
The FDA recognizes that these types of complications are rare, but possible, and that some people may have an allergic reaction to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. The agency’s fact sheet on the vaccine reads, in part, “A severe allergic reaction would generally occur within a few minutes to an hour after receiving a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.” Then list several signs and symptoms of such an allergic reaction:
- Labored breathing
- Swelling of the face and throat
- A fast heartbeat
- A rash all over the body
- Dizziness and weakness
If you have a history of allergies, you can expect to be monitored for 15 to 30 minutes after receiving the vaccine.
If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine, the FDA advises you not to take it.
Sarah Tew / CNET
The FDA also recommends that you should not take the Pfizer vaccine if you have ever had a serious reaction to any of these ingredients:
- MRNA
- Lipids ((4-hydroxybutyl) azanediyl) bis (hexane-6,1-diyl) bis (2-hexyldecanoate) 2 [(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N, N-ditetradecylacetamide 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and cholesterol)
- Potassium chloride
- Monobasic potassium phosphate
- Sodium chloride
- Dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate
- Saccharose
You may still be able to get the vaccine even if you have experienced allergic reactions in the past.
In their most up-to-date guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention echoes the FDA in stating that just because you’ve had a severe allergic reaction to being vaccinated in the past shouldn’t automatically prevent you from getting vaccinated against COVID. -19.
“These people can still get the vaccine, but they should be counseled about the unknown risks of developing a serious allergic reaction and weigh these risks against the benefits of the vaccine,” the CDC said on its website.
Until the majority of people in the US have been vaccinated, everyone can be expected to continue social distancing, avoiding crowds and wearing masks in public.
Sarah Tew / CNET
Can you get vaccinated if you are pregnant or breastfeeding?
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, the FDA leaves the decision to take the COVID-19 vaccine to you and your doctor. Until now, UK regulators have recommended against doing so until the vaccine can be tested in pregnant and lactating women (so far no clinical trials have been conducted for this group). Although the vaccine has not yet been studied in lactating and pregnant women, many scientists believe that the vaccine is generally safe and the benefits outweigh any potential risks.
How will I be protected against COVID-19 if I can’t get vaccinated?
If you are a patient with a medical condition who is discouraged from getting the COVID-19 vaccine by your doctor, you may need to wait until enough people in the US have been vaccinated to protect yourself. Even if you don’t get vaccinated yourself, being surrounded by enough vaccinated people – known as “herd immunity” – can provide a measure of protection against the coronavirus. But that takes time.
To jumpstart that process, the best thing you can do for now is to follow CDC safety guidelines – always wear a mask when indoors (except in your own home), always wear a mask in public, avoid large crowds and always keep at least six feet away from people you don’t live with when you go out.
It’s going to be a while before life gets back to normal. To get an idea of how long, take a look at this timeline of when different groups will be able to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Several coronavirus vaccines are likely to be rolled out over the next several months, and which one will you take it will also help determine when you can take it. Finally, here is our updated list of places where you can get the vaccine.
The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical or health advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health goals.
