- An Alaskan healthcare worker in the U.S suffered an allergic reaction minutes after receiving the Pfizer vaccine.
- Two people in the U.K. have also reported a similar adverse reaction to the vaccine.
- Unlike the cases in Britain, the U.S. healthcare worker had no history of allergic reactions.
Last week, the U.K became the first country to authorize the Pfizer vaccine. However, the day it began its mass vaccination program authorities reported adverse reactions in two healthcare workers. The two healthcare workers suffered an allergic reaction to the Pfizer vaccine and had a history of allergic reactions. Therefore, Britain’s health authorities issued a precautionary warning for people with a significant history of allergic reactions. Advising them to avoid the vaccine.
On the other hand, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has deemed the vaccine safe for use in those with allergies. They issued a warning only for those with a history of severe allergic reaction to vaccines or, to ingredients of the Pfizer vaccine.
First Case of Allergic Reaction to Pfizer Vaccine in the U.S
On Tuesday, an Alaskan healthcare worker suffered a serious allergic reaction soon after receiving the Pfizer vaccine. Thus, becoming the first case of an allergic reaction to the vaccine in the U.S. However, it is worth noting that the worker did not have a history of allergic reactions.
We expected that a side effect like this could occur after reports of anaphylaxis were made in England after people there received the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine. All sites that are approved to provide vaccinations in Alaska must have medications on hand to deal with an allergic reaction and that was the case in Juneau.
Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer
The healthcare worker reported symptoms of anaphylactic reaction including flushed skin, shortness of breath, rash, and an elevated heart rate. The staff immediately administered a dose of epinephrine. After spending a night in the intensive care unit at Bartlett Memorial Hospital, she is now stable and doing well.
Investigation Underway
Pfizer’s phase 3 trials that included over 40,000 volunteers reported no severe adverse reactions in the vaccine group. Furthermore, people with a history of allergic reactions to vaccines or ingredients of the vaccine were excluded from the trial.
Since the vaccine is still in the early rollout stage, such reactions are common. However, doctors should monitor patients for all adverse events. Despite clinical trials not reporting any such reactions.
We will closely monitor all reports suggestive of serious allergic reactions following vaccination and update labeling language if needed. The prescribing information has a clear warning/precaution that appropriate medical treatment and supervision should always be readily available in case of a rare anaphylactic event following the administration of the vaccine.
Pfizer’s statemnt
The next step is to identify what particular ingredient in the vaccine is causing the reaction. Pfizer is currently investigating the situation and plans to update its labeling language if required.
