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SINGAPORE: Three cases of anaphylaxis, or rapid onset of severe allergic reactions, have been reported out of the more than 113,000 people who have received the COVID-19 vaccine to date, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Thursday (January 28). .
“The individuals, between the ages of 20 and 30, developed multiple symptoms such as a rash, shortness of breath, swelling of the lips, tightness in the throat and dizziness,” said the Ministry of Health.
“All three people had a history of allergies, including allergic rhinitis and allergies to food, such as shellfish, but none had a history of anaphylaxis that would have prevented them from receiving the vaccine.”
He added: “Anaphylaxis can be controlled when it is detected and treated in a timely manner. As all vaccinated people in Singapore are closely monitored, symptoms in these three people were detected and treated immediately. “
All three have recovered from the episode and were discharged from the hospital after a day of observation or treatment.
The Health Ministry said the incidence rate of anaphylaxis locally is currently about 2.7 per 100,000 doses administered, similar to rates reported abroad.
Associate Professor Kenneth Mak, director of medical services at the Ministry of Health, said anaphylaxis was a known side effect of the vaccine.
“Anaphylaxis is a known but rare side effect of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. As with all vaccines, there will always be a small proportion of susceptible people who experience severe allergic reactions after vaccination, “he said.
“We have implemented precautionary measures, such as pre-vaccination screening and post-vaccination observation, to ensure that our vaccination program can be carried out safely.”
The Health Ministry added that the benefits of getting vaccinated far outweigh the risk of any potential adverse events known to be associated with vaccination, and that the ministry will “closely monitor the safety of the vaccine and ensure that the vaccines used in Singapore be safe for our population groups. ” , as we launch our vaccination program. ”
As of January 27, the ministry said it received 432 “adverse event reports” from healthcare workers.
“Most of these reports referred to common symptoms such as pain and swelling at the injection site, fever, headache, fatigue, body aches, dizziness, nausea, and allergic reactions (such as itching, rash, swelling of the eyes or lips ).
“These symptoms are reactions generally associated with all vaccines and generally resolve on their own within a few days,” the ministry said.
NEW COVID-19 VACCINE INJURY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
The Ministry of Health also announced a new plan to provide financial assistance in the rare case of serious side effects related to the COVID-19 vaccines administered in Singapore. Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders will be eligible.
The Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Program will provide the following levels of financial support:
– A one-time payment of up to $ 10,000 will be provided to an eligible person who is hospitalized and requires intensive care or high dependency unit care, but subsequently recovers from serious medically significant side effects; Y
– A one-time payment of $ 225,000 will be provided to a person who dies or suffers a serious permanent disability as a result of the COVID-19 vaccine.
An independent clinical panel has been created to “evaluate and adjudicate” applications, the Health Ministry said. A person must have received the vaccine in Singapore and “have experienced a serious side effect that is life threatening or fatal, and has required hospitalization or caused persistent disability or disability,” the ministry added.
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