Today we have had a worldwide release of the Pfizer vaccine, and it has not been without problems. The first country to start the administration of the vaccine as found an allergic reaction to this life-saving tool.
With the Pfizer vaccine, there was follow-up related to adverse effects among 38,000 study participants who received two shots of either the vaccine or its placebo. Those data show some side effects, such as injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, chills or vomiting. The data show only a tiny number of suspected allergy-related reactions in both the vaccine and placebo groups (0.63% and 0.51%).
Some U.S. allergists are calling for those in the allergy community to stay calm and wait for the British authorities to investigate these adverse cases further.
According to the British Columbia Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine are not to be given to people you are immune-compromised, children under 16 and pregnant women. There is still more studying to be done. This means that the first doses will be given to the frontline healthcare workers. The Pfizer vaccine needs to store at extremely low temperature between -70c to -90c because of RNA structures it uses to cause immunity in human bodies.
The vaccine works by causing our bodies to produce anti-body protein to protect our cells from infection. The use of RNA structures simulates the Sar-Cov2 virus RNA sequence. The RNA sequence in the vaccine is extremely delicate and need nano-protein to protect them so they stay viable at the need for low temperature.
The big question is the vaccine safe because they of the rush to approve the vaccine testing processes were run simultaneously instead of in the normal step-by-step process. Pfizer may not be sure of all the side effects.
Read the following from AllergicLiving.com
The British regulator of medicines has set off alarm bells in the allergy community by warning U.K. hospitals not to give the new Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to anyone with “a significant history of allergic reactions.”
The warning comes after two healthcare were reported to have experienced anaphylaxis-like reactions following an injection of the vaccine. Both people were known to have allergies, had a history of severe allergic reactions and carried epinephrine auto-injectors. Both are said to be recovering well.
The Pfizer vaccine program had only begun to roll out in the U.K. on Tuesday Dec. 8. The warning followed on Dec. 9. Stephen Powis, national Medical Director for the NHS, England’s national health service, said in a statement:
“As is common with new vaccines the MHRA [Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency] have advised on a precautionary basis that people with a significant history of allergic reactions do not receive this vaccination after two people with a history of significant allergic reactions responded adversely yesterday.”
The Guardian, which obtained the full MHRA advice to hospitals, reports that it also says: “Any person with a history of a significant allergic reaction to a vaccine, medicine or food (such as previous history of anaphylactoid reaction or those who have been advised to carry an adrenaline auto-injector) should not receive the Pfizer/BioNtech vaccine. Resuscitation facilities should be available at all times for all vaccinations. Vaccination should only be carried out in facilities where resuscitation measures are available.”
Confusion on Allergy Warning
While called “precautionary,” the U.K. advice is concerning and confusing for people worldwide who have a history of severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis. The data on both the new mRNA vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna have shown convincing efficacy and safety data.
With the Pfizer vaccine, there was follow-up related to adverse effects among 38,000 study participants who received two shots of either the vaccine or its placebo. Those data show some side effects, such as injection site pain, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, chills or vomiting. The data show only a tiny number of suspected allergy-related reactions in both the vaccine and placebo groups (0.63% and 0.51%).
Some U.S. allergists are calling for those in the allergy community to stay calm and wait for the British authorities to investigate these adverse cases further.
“This is a very strange situation,” wrote University of Michigan allergist and immunologist Dr. James Baker on his blog. “The contents of this vaccine do not include any protein component that could cause a true allergic reaction. Also, there were no allergic reactions reported in the 44,000 individuals in the clinical trial.”
On Twitter, allergist Dr. David Stukus wrote of the MHRA allergy warning in the U.K.: “Need to pump the brakes, as crucial details are unknown. A recommendation for anyone with prior anaphylaxis for ANY reason to avoid is problematic. We don’t know what symptoms occurred in these 2 people, their history, or potential triggers. This will evolve.” Stukus, a specialist with Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio, will discuss the vaccine issue further in an Instagram Live event on Dec. 10 with Allergic Living and the AAAAI allergists’ organization.
Allergic Living is conducting further reporting and this article will be updated.
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