FACTS:
- Patients with history of allergic reactions to medications, food, outdoor allergens, insects, and latex do not have an increased risk compared to the general population.
- Observation in a health care setting for 20 – 30 minutes after injection is ideal to monitor for any adverse effects. (IM Epinephrine is the first line of treatment).
- Pfizer-BioNTech COVID 19 Vaccine is NOT a live vaccine. It can be administered to immunocompromised patients.
- These recommendations are based on best knowledge to date but can change at any time, pending new information and further guidance from the FDA or CDC.
- Arizona Asthma and Allergy Institute does not have the vaccine and is not planning to administer the vaccine.
CAUTIONARY CONCERNS: Please discuss risks vs. benefits with your provider.
- Patients with history of allergy to L-Polyethelene Glycol (component of the vaccine)
- Patients with history of allergic reactions to previous vaccinations/ mast cell activation syndrome/idiopathic anaphylaxis. (Limited data)
- Immunocompromised patients may have a diminished immune response.
References
- McNeil MM, Weintraub ES, Duffy J, et al. Risk of anaphylaxis after vaccination in children and adults. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2016;137(3):868-878.
- Dreskin et al. International Consensus (ICON): allergic reactions to vaccines World Allergy Organization Journal (2016) 9:32.
- Wylon, K., Dölle, S. & Worm, M. Polyethylene glycol as a cause of anaphylaxis. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol 12,67 (2016).
- Stone CA, Liu Y, et al. Immediate Hypersensitivity to Polyethylene Glycols and Polysorbates: More Common Than We Have Recognized. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2019; 7(5): 1533–1540
