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Allergy Today: Have allergies and worried about the COVID-19 vaccine?Have allergies and worried about the Covid-19 vaccine? It is understandable some people with allergies may be concerned about whether the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (Comirnaty) is safe for them or their family member(s). However, the overwhelming evidence is that the vaccine is safe for everyone, whether or not they have allergies or other health conditions, and it is far, far safer than remaining unvaccinated and at risk of getting COVID-19. Our allergy/clinical immunology specialists and others advise: The vaccine is safe for:
See here for further information: How do we know it is safe? Millions of doses have been administered globally. Countries distributing the vaccine have systems in place to report adverse reactions. We know from this that:
In New Zealand, all vaccine centres are required to observe those who have been vaccinated for at least 15 minutes, know the signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis, how to respond if it should occur, and have adrenaline on hand. There have been few reports of anaphylaxis.
For more information, see How can we be confident getting vaccinated is safe? on Vimeo Is there anyone who can’t have the vaccine? The list of reasons why the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine may not be suitable is short: Before the first dose:
After problems with the first dose:
If you meet any of these criteria, contact your GP to discuss how to be safely vaccinated. Ref: Who can't have the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine? What is the long-term risk? The known risks of COVID-19 illness and its related, possibly severe complications, such as long-term health problems, hospitalization, and even death, far outweigh the potential risks of having a rare adverse reaction to vaccination, including the possible risk of myocarditis. Long COVID A study from the University of Oxford and the UK National Institute for Health Research, found more than one in three people with COVID-19 would experience at least one symptom of long COVID up to six months after being infected. The most common were breathing problems, abdominal symptoms, fatigue, pain and anxiety or depression. Final piece of advice Every day someone waits to decide whether or not to be vaccinated, they are at risk of serious – and possibly long-term - health problems from catching COVID-19. They are also a risk to others – the virus is highly infectious. Please don’t delay – get vaccinated today. |