Vaccinating against COVID-19 in Allergic Patients
Keywords:
COVID-19, Anaphylaxis, Allergy, VaccineAbstract
It is over a year since the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) and we are still facing an ongoing pandemic. Whilst the number of infected patients and death rates are increasing everyday, newly developed vaccines are the main hope for humanity to end this misery. From December 2020, emergency authorized vaccines had been distributed to many parts of the world. Studies of the vaccine have confirmed effectiveness with only very rare severe adverse reactions. There are no absolute contraindications for use of the vaccines in people with a history of allergy and preexisting allergic diseases. However, risk assessment and stratification are crucial to ensure ongoing safety for vaccine injection services. The precautions in place for use of the COVID-19 vaccines within high-risk populations include patients with a history of anaphylaxis to previous vaccinations, severe/uncontrolled asthma, and underlying mast cell disorders. These patients should have their vaccine injections under healthcare provider supervision. A consultation with an expert will provide deeper evaluation and shared decision-making for use of the appropriate vaccine. The observation period for the patients with risks of allergic reactions should be at least 15-30 minutes. If anaphylaxis occurs, prompt treatment improves the survival outcomes. Anaphylaxis is a treatable condition without long-term effects. Taking all of this into account, we encourage everybody to join the immunization campaign. Do not let the fear of the reactions outweigh the advantages of being vaccinated.
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