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The Allergy Association wants the authorities to issue clear guidelines on who in Sweden should take the Pfizer / Biontech vaccine.
– To calm any unnecessary anxiety that may arise, says Secretary General Kristina Ljungros.
Two healthcare workers in the UK had an allergic reaction to the Pfizer vaccine. Stock Photography.
Two healthcare workers in the UK had allergic reactions on Tuesday shortly after receiving the vaccine. They have received treatment and both are doing well, according to British media.
Both people have historically had severe allergic problems and carry an adrenaline syringe.
The Pfizer and Biontech vaccines have been approved in the UK, but not yet in Sweden. The Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association now wants the National Board of Health and Welfare and the Swedish Public Health Agency to take a position on the information as soon as possible when it becomes available, and issues guidelines on how people with severe allergies should be vaccinated in Sweden.
– I think it is good that these types of side effects are detected and investigated in time before starting mass vaccinations. Because when this kind of news comes in, it naturally creates anxiety in allergy sufferers, says Secretary General Kristina Ljungros.
During the day, many have contacted the Asthma and Allergy Association with questions and concerns.
– We do not want people to avoid getting vaccinated because of unnecessary concerns, but we believe that it is important that vaccinations begin to stop this pandemic, says Ljungros.
Allergic reactions for healthcare professionals in the UK are rare, but they also occur when people receive other vaccinations, including the annual flu shot. In Sweden there is no general warning or deterrent for allergy sufferers to get the flu shot.
On Wednesday, the union had a meeting with the National Board of Health and Welfare on other issues related to covid-19 and then raised the allergy issues.
One guideline authorities could agree on is whether people at risk for a severe allergic reaction should be vaccinated at a clinic with access to emergency care, says Kristina Ljungros.
There are three million people in Sweden with some type of allergy, according to the Allergy and Asthma Association, but it is unclear how many actually have such serious problems that they could have a reaction from Pfizer and the Biontech vaccine.
– Of course, not all allergy sufferers should feel great anxiety.
At the beginning of the pandemic, people with lung disease were claimed to be a risk group for severe COVID-19 and then many questions arose as to whether asthmatics were a risk group. When more information became available, the Swedish Public Health Agency came out and commented that people with asthma are generally not a risk group.
– It is very good that the authorities can do it. We also understand that with time more knowledge will come, but that you inform as much as you can, because it creates a calm, says Kristina Ljungros.
