As allergists, we know there is a rare risk of anaphylaxis to vaccines. In fact, patients with a history of anaphylaxis tend to have other associated allergic conditions (i.e. insect allergy, food allergy, atopic dermatitis, etc.) But patients with a history of food allergy or latex does not increase the risk of anaphylaxis to the vaccine. It is very important for patients to be speak to their doctor if they:
- have any allergies
- have a fever
- have a bleeding disorder or on a blood thinner
- are immune compromised
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
- are breast feeding
- have received another Covid vaccine
Currently, there are over 200 vaccines that are being tested against Coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-2. These have been found to be highly efficacious in preventing symptoms in patients with COVID. Usually, a true allergic reaction does not occur after 2 hours of receiving the vaccines.
You should not get the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine if you:
- had a severe allergic reaction after a previous dose of this vaccine
- had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in this vaccine
WHAT ARE THE INGREDIENTS IN THE PFIZER-BIONTECH COVID-19 VACCINE? The Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine includes the following ingredients: mRNA, lipids ((4-hydroxybutyl)azanediyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl)bis(2-hexyldecanoate), 2 [(polyethylene glycol)-2000]-N,N-ditetradecylacetamide, 1,2-Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine, and cholesterol), potassium chloride, monobasic potassium phosphate, sodium chloride, dibasic sodium phosphate dihydrate, and sucrose. (Taken from: The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Sheet)
