COVID-19 Vaccines and Allergic Reactions – CDC Update:
Recommendations on Who Should Not Receive mRNA
COVID-19 Vaccines
If a person has had a severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine
- If a person has a severe allergic reaction after getting the first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, CDC recommends that they should not get the second dose.
- An allergic reaction is considered severe when a person needs to be treated with epinephrine or EpiPen©or if they must go to the hospital.
- If a person has had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, they should not get either of the currently available mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
- Healthcare personnel or health departments in the United States can request a consultation from the Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment COVIDvax (CISA) project for a complex COVID-19 vaccine safety question about an individual patient residing in the United States not readily addressed by CDC guidance.
If a person has had an immediate non-severe allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine
- CDC has learned of reports that some people have experienced non-severe immediate allergic reactions within 4 hours after getting vaccinated, such as hives, swelling, and wheezing.
- If a person has had an immediate allergic reaction after getting the first dose of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, they should not get the second dose unless they have been evaluated by an allergist-immunologist and it is determined that the person can safely receive the vaccine (e.g., under observation, in a setting with advanced medical care available).
- Providers should attempt to determine whether reactions reported following vaccination are consistent with immediate allergic reactions versus other types of reactions commonly observed following vaccination, such as a vasovagal reaction or post-vaccination side effects (which are not contraindications to receiving the second vaccine dose).
- A Table (Appendix C) of signs and symptoms may serve as a resource to differentiate between these reactions.
- If a person has had an immediate allergic reaction—even if it was not severe—to any ingredient in an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, CDC recommends that they should not get either of the currently available mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
If a person has had an allergic reaction to polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate
- People who are allergic to PEG or polysorbate should not get an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
- PEG is contained in both mRNA vaccines.
- Polysorbate is not an ingredient in either mRNA COVID-19 vaccine but is closely related to PEG, which is in the vaccines.
If a person has had an allergic reaction to other types of vaccines or an injectable therapy
- If a person has had an immediate allergic reaction—even if it was not severe—to a vaccine or injectable therapy (i.e., intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous vaccines or therapies not related to a component of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines or polysorbate), it is a precaution though not a contraindication to vaccination for both mRNA vaccines.
- These persons should be counseled about the unknown risks of developing a severe allergic reaction and balance these risks against the benefits of vaccination.
- Deferral of vaccination and/or consultation with an allergist-immunologist may be considered until further information on the risk of anaphylaxis is available.
- Certain considerations should be taken into account in deciding whether to give mRNA COVID-19 vaccine to these individuals.
If a person has allergies not related to vaccines
- CDC recommends that people with a history of severe allergic reactions not related to vaccines or injectable medications—such as food, pet, venom, environmental, or latex allergies—may receive mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
- People with a history of allergies to oral medications or a family history of severe allergic reactions may also get vaccinated with mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
|
